Brenden Aaronson went from hero to zero in just a matter of minutes on his first appearance back at Leeds United.
Having decided to return to Elland Road following a loan spell at Union Berlin, Aaronson was playing his first competitive match for Leeds since May 2023.
The 23-year-old had struggled to get into the game after replacing Wilfried Gnonto, but was involved in one of the craziest ends to a match you will see.
Callum Lang had put the away side ahead from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute but the drama was far from over there as Aaronson equalised moments later with a lovely finish from the edge of the area.
With the final kick of the game, Aaronson then had the most golden opportunity to win it for Leeds after being played through by Jayden Bogle, but stuck his finish wide.
Farke shares Leeds’ dressing room reaction to Aaronson
Aaronson’s 25 minute cameo is perhaps an accurate summary of his career at Leeds, showing signs of promise before ultimately coming up short.
Nine times out of 10, Aaronson would’ve comfortably stuck that chance away and at the full-time whistle, he was visibly gutted at the fact he had missed.
Given his introduction from the bench was met with a handful of boos, his equaliser without the big miss would’ve been a significant step in the right direction regarding his relationship with supporters.
Instead, Aaronson will have left today thinking what could’ve been, something which Daniel Farke is eager to squash quickly.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke has revealed he did not say too much to Aaronson in the dressing room, instead giving him a hug and urging him to take the positives.
He said: “Just a hug from me. No words are needed. Most disappointed lad in the dressing room. Back from his loan. Wants to prove his worth. Some mistakes. Could have been the hero.
“Normally a player of his quality scores this and everyone sings his name. Cannot press a button and be the hero again. Takes time to win the crowd back and be trusted.
“Take the positives out of your first goal in first game back and there will be more moments from here in the future. Hero of one point today. No accusations from my side. Compliment for work rate and first goal.
Aaronson has to keep his head up despite big miss
It was pretty clear from his first season at Leeds that Aaronson is the very epitome of a confidence player.
During his first few months at the club, Aaronson looked at his brightest but as things got tough and assists dried up, the confidence just ebbed out of him.
Moving forward, Aaronson simply cannot afford to stew on this miss today or he could be in for a difficult few months on the pitch.
Instead, like Farke said, Aaronson needs to focus on the quality he showed to win Leeds a point, a finish he did not look capable of previously.
He was certainly not the main reason Leeds didn’t come away with three points. Illan Meslier can take plenty of the blame for that.
