How Jaka Bijol sent strong Leeds United message with match-leading Slovenia display

i Jaka Bijol is doing all he can to catch Daniel Farke's attention back at Leeds United after he was dropped from the Whites' starting line-up.

The 27-year-old is away on international duty with Slovenia currently, as they begin their UEFA Nations League campaign.

Bostjan Cesar's side drew 0-0 with Scotland in their opening Nations League group stage game last Saturday.

Tuesday night saw them welcome North Macedonia to Ljubljana, with the hosts ranked 56th in the world and the visitors 69th per FIFA's rankings.

As such, it looked to be a fairly even matchup on paper, but it was Slovenia who emerged on top to the tune of a 2-0 victory.

Bijol started and played the full 90 minutes, and his performance was one that can only do his Leeds starting chances the world of good.

Where did Jaka Bijol lead all players in Slovenia vs North Macedonia?

The visit of North Macedonia saw Bijol earn his 75th cap for Slovenia on Tuesday night.

After playing the full 90 minutes in the aforementioned draw with Scotland, the Leeds defender was again asked to repeat that against the Macedonians.

He did so in superb fashion, leading every player on the pitch in a host of different key metrics.

Per FotMob, Bijol's 11 defensive contributions, eight clearances, five headed clearances and four aerial duels won were more than any player put up.

On top of this, he also completed 90 per cent of his passes successfully, blocked one shot and played six passes into the final third.

Bijol wasn't dispossessed once, whilst also making one interception, three recoveries and winning one foul.

So, with Farke deploying three centre-backs at Leeds, this kind of display is surely one that warrants Bijol more starting opportunities when the Premier League resumes.

Interestingly, Bijol has a fairly unique appearances-related trait when it comes to both his domestic and international careers too.

Bijol club career inexperience highlighted with Slovenia reveal

Now 27, Bijol is entering the prime years of his career as a central defender.

Despite that, he still has the feel of being a fairly inexperienced defender who is still honing his craft at Elland Road.

Bijol has bounced around a number of clubs during his domestic career so far, with his longest stint anywhere being with CSKA Moscow.

He played 96 times for the Russian outfit between 2018 to 2022, and it's only them and Udinese (95) who he's represented more times than Slovenia.

Rudar Velenje (35), Hannover (31) and Leeds (35) have all barely scratched the surface with him in comparison to Slovenia.

But that should change moving forward in West Yorkshire, as the defender continues to prove through his national side that he's a quality player.