Daniel Farke Slams Donnarumma Over ‘Fake Injury’ as Leeds Boss Pushes for Rule Change After Man City Defeat
Following a tense Premier League match where Manchester City narrowly defeated Leeds United, Leeds manager Daniel Farke leveled accusations at Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, suggesting he feigned an injury.
This alleged act, according to Farke, provided Manchester City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, with a crucial opportunity to address his team during a pivotal moment in the second half, when Leeds had gained momentum and reduced the deficit to 2-1.
While City initially held a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime, Leeds mounted a spirited comeback, leveling the score at 2-2. However, Phil Foden’s late goal ultimately secured the victory for the home side.
Guardiola acknowledged the challenges posed by Leeds’ tactical adjustments, stating that the introduction of long balls towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha created significant problems for his defense.
He emphasized the emotional nature of the game and expressed relief that his team ultimately managed to find the winning goal.
Leeds Manager Calls for Adjustment to Current Rules
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Following the defeat, Farke was clearly disappointed, but a specific incident during the match particularly bothered him. Shortly before the hour mark, City’s goalkeeper, Donnarumma, signaled to the team’s medical personnel, requesting attention.
This pause in the game allowed City’s manager, Guardiola, to gather the remaining ten outfield players and provide them with updated tactical directions in response to Leeds’ shift in formation.
Although Leeds later managed to level the score, City ultimately secured the victory. However, Farke expressed his discontent with the Italian goalkeeper’s behavior.
The German manager, while refraining from directly criticizing Guardiola, suggested that a modification to the existing regulations is necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
He implied that such actions exploit loopholes and disrupt the natural flow of the game, creating an unfair advantage. He feels the laws should be adjusted to maintain the integrity of the sport.
He believed the reason for the player’s collapse was widely understood and not a hidden issue. He welcomed inquiries about his opinion, stating that the explanation seemed quite clear to him.
He acknowledged that the action, while perhaps questionable, appeared to be permissible according to the regulations.
While he might personally disagree with the tactic and whether it aligns with the spirit of the game, he refrained from publicly criticizing it, leaving the matter for the relevant governing bodies to address.
He mentioned inquiring with the fourth official, who indicated an inability to intervene. He stressed the importance of educating players on ethical conduct and fair play, suggesting that exploiting loopholes and feigning injuries for tactical gains, although technically allowed, were practices he personally disliked.
Ultimately, since the behavior was within the bounds of the established rules, he felt constrained from lodging a formal complaint.
“Concerning this type of situation arising, I suggest that any ambiguous or evenly balanced decisions should consistently favor the visiting side instead of the home side.
In the event of a 2-2 scoreline after the regulation time, I personally would have ended the game rather than allowing for such extensive added time. There are preventative measures that can be implemented to avoid a repetition of this occurrence.
It’s worth noting the strategic reason behind a goalkeeper feigning injury rather than an outfield player; an outfield player feigning injury would be required to be substituted.
I am, however, skeptical that the governing bodies will find a solution that upholds a commitment to sporting integrity. I want to clarify that I am not directing any condemnation toward my fellow manager.
The fact that he feigned injury isn’t the issue. I would use the same tactic if given the opportunity. If time permits and there is an injury, I would use the same tactic.
We have a very strong rapport, and Pep is unequivocally the most skilled manager globally. His ability to adjust and optimize during a match is unmatched.
My comments contain absolutely no disapproval of Pep. The reality that these incidents happen is widely acknowledged.”
Despite Leeds suffering their fourth consecutive loss, further intensifying the scrutiny on their head coach, Farke, the resilience they displayed in fighting back during the match offers a glimmer of hope for those associated with the team.
However, at the end of the day, they leave Manchester empty-handed.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he stated that their objective was to secure points, not simply receive praise.
He acknowledged their disastrous beginning but emphasized the importance of succeeding at set-pieces when seeking points away from home.
Farke commended his players’ performance, believing they were worthy of at least a draw, acknowledging the tight nature of the contest. The defeat was especially hard on his team, as he felt they warranted a better outcome.
Nevertheless, he encouraged his players to be proud of their response to such an unfavorable start, emphasizing that they should draw significant confidence from their efforts.
Leeds United, currently occupying the 18th spot in the Premier League standings, are embarking on a decidedly challenging series of contests. Their recent match against Manchester City marks the commencement of this demanding stretch.
Looking ahead, they will welcome Chelsea, currently sitting in third place, to their home ground on Wednesday. Following this, they will play host to Liverpool, a team presently struggling to find their form, next weekend.
The difficulty persists as they face an away game against Brentford, a team performing impressively this season, and subsequently return home to battle a confident Crystal Palace side. This gauntlet of demanding games will conclude just before the Christmas period.
