Farke Prioritizes Survival Over Cup Glory Ahead of Birmingham Clash
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has signaled that he will likely field a rotated squad for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Birmingham City. Despite a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against Chelsea recently, Farke is adamant that Premier League survival remains the club’s absolute priority.
Injury Updates and Strategic Resting
Farke confirmed he will not gamble on the fitness of key defenders Pascal Struijk and Anton Stach, both of whom remain sidelined. Beyond the injured duo, the manager hinted at resting several other regular starters to ensure the squad is fresh for their next league battle against Aston Villa on February 21.
Opportunities for Fringe Players
The trip to St. Andrew’s is expected to provide a rare opening for players who have struggled for minutes lately:
- Joel Piroe: The striker, who has slipped behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in the hierarchy, is eyeing a return to the starting XI.
- Lucas Perri: The Brazilian goalkeeper could be recalled to the lineup despite Farke’s recent public criticisms.
- New Faces: Sam Byram is tipped for a role, while fans may see a full debut for Facundo Buonanotte.
The Manager’s Stance
”We want to progress… but the league and achieving survival is the priority. We won’t risk any player where we have any doubt.” — Daniel Farke
While Birmingham currently sits 10th in the Championship, Farke’s decision to potentially “weaken” the side is a calculated risk. Fans will be hoping this strategy doesn’t result in another early exit, following last year’s fourth-round knockout by Millwall.
