Robin Koch has stated that the stress Leeds United's players will be feeling in their battle for Premier League survival is 'quite normal'. Leeds' 2-1 victory over Norwich City was one fraught with nerves as Leeds took an early lead through a deflected Rodrigo strike but the Whites missed a host of chances to kill the game off with a second goal.
Raphinha twice hit the bar, first with a close-range volley in the first-half and latterly with a free-kick in the 83rd minute. The Brazilian also miskicked when the goal was gaping, whilst Pascal Struijk missed a double chance from a corner and Patrick Bamford side-footed wide when through one-one-one.
With each missed chance, anxiety grew that Leeds would be made to pay for their profligacy and that's exactly what happened. Norwich grew in their confidence of gaining something from the game whilst Leeds shrank backwards. After being denied a penalty against Luke Ayling due to a VAR intervention, Norwich scored through Kenny McLean in the 91st minute and Elland Road despaired.
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However, Joe Gelhardt struck a 94th-minute winner after Raphinha had rounded Tim Krul and Leeds can now go into their next game with the pressure on them reduced somewhat. Speaking to BBC Sport about the stress on the player's shoulders, Koch said:
"Of course in this situation there is a lot of stress on every player. It’s quite normal. It’s part of the business in football. Getting three points in the last game relieves it a bit and gives confidence for the next games."
The German defender was asked how Leeds' new manager, Jesse Marsch was helping the players to navigate that stress as they look ahead following the result against Norwich. "Of course it’s different. He’s a different kind of coach, more communication. The mood is better when you win and we’re more confident for the next game."
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