What Anton Stach was doing in tunnel after first Leeds goal v AC Milan
Leeds pulled off a coup when they signed Anton Stach from Hoffenheim earlier this summer, and fans are already in awe.
Stach has arrived as a big-money addition to the midfield after excelling in the Bundesliga, and he quickly showed his class in a friendly against AC Milan.
Leeds battled to a 1-1 draw against the Serie A giants, and the equaliser came through a moment of sheer quality from their new midfielder.
After cutting inside from the left, Stach unleashed a venomous shot from long range into the bottom corner, and already looks set to be a fan favourite at Elland Road.
Stach waited for Luka Modric at full time vs Milan
Leeds tested themselves against big-name opposition in Milan, but the Italian side left some of their key players out of the game.
Rafael Leao did not feature in the matchday squad, while new signing Luka Modric was an unused substitute in Dublin.
- Santiago Gimenez scored in the first half to give Milan the lead.
- Leeds equalised through Stach’s incredible strike.
Modric joined this summer after a legendary spell at Real Madrid in which he won the Ballon d’Or, and was one of the best midfielders of his generation.
| Stat | Stach |
| Goals | 1 |
| Pass accuracy | 89% |
| Touches | 73 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Defensive actions | 6 |
Stach was clearly an admirer of Modric, and it emerged at full-time that the new Leeds star was waiting in the tunnel for the 39-year-old after the game, to have a chat and to possibly swap shirts.
Stach can be Leeds’ new Kalvin Phillips
The last time Leeds thrived in the Premier League, Kalvin Phillips was running the show in midfield, and his departure was decisive in their eventual relegation.
Stach can play a similar role this season, as a tough-tackling and technically gifted midfielder, and the 24-year-old could prove to be Leeds’ most important signing yet.
The German is likely to play alongside new signing Sean Longstaff and last season’s hero Ao Tanaka in midfield, and Daniel Farke now has several good options at his disposal.
Leeds face a tough battle to stay up, and will need to recruit attackers in this window if they are to make the step up to the top flight.
Stach will be just as instrumental for their survival hopes, though, and Leeds may have picked up an absolute gem.
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