Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol endured a night to forget as Slovenia fell 2–0 to Kosovo in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday — with media in his home country describing his performance as one where “everything went wrong.”
The 26-year-old centre-back, who has recently been handed a run of starts under Daniel Farke, was at fault for the opening goal just six minutes into the game as Fisnik Asllani skipped past him to put Kosovo ahead. From that point, Bijol and his defensive unit struggled to recover.
“Everything went wrong” – Slovenian press reaction
Slovenian outlet reports were blunt in their assessment, highlighting Bijol’s early mistake as a turning point in an otherwise frustrating display for Matjaž Kek’s side. Local analysis said the Leeds defender looked “unsettled and reactive,” failing to impose the kind of physical dominance that has recently seen him earn more minutes in the Premier League.
The tone was clear — Bijol’s performance was below the standards he’s set since establishing himself as a regular at Leeds this autumn.
Leeds need Bijol to bounce back
The timing of Bijol’s off-night couldn’t be worse for Leeds. Having only recently broken into Farke’s starting XI, he now faces a crucial test of resilience as he prepares to face Gabriel Gudmundsson’s Sweden on 18 November in Slovenia’s final qualifier of the break.
Domestically, Bijol has started Leeds’ last three Premier League fixtures — the 2–1 win over West Ham, the 3–0 defeat to Brighton, and the 3–1 loss to Nottingham Forest — showing flashes of progress despite Leeds’ inconsistent form.
Farke will be hoping the international setback doesn’t dent the defender’s confidence ahead of a brutal run of fixtures that could define Leeds’ season.
Leeds’ tough run looms large
Leeds face a daunting Premier League schedule in the run-up to Christmas, with matches against Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool all on the horizon. Three of those games are at Elland Road, where the Whites have been stronger this season, but goals remain scarce and defensive mistakes costly.
If Bijol and the back line don’t tighten up, Leeds risk slipping deeper into relegation danger before the new year.
| Jaka Bijol – Recent Matches (Leeds United 2025/26) | Result |
|---|---|
| vs West Ham | W 2–1 |
| vs Brighton | L 0–3 |
| vs Nottingham Forest | L 1–3 |
| vs Kosovo (Slovenia) | L 0–2 |
source: Slovenian media / Premier League Data – 15 November 2025
Our View: Bijol must show leadership in difficult spell
In our view, Bijol’s rough international outing will sting — but it’s also a chance to demonstrate maturity. He has the physical presence and tactical understanding to thrive in the Premier League, yet individual lapses remain his Achilles’ heel.
Farke will likely keep faith in him, given Leeds’ limited depth at centre-back, but consistency will be key. The upcoming fixtures represent both a challenge and an opportunity for Bijol to solidify his place as a defensive mainstay.
Key Insights
- Slovenian media described Bijol’s display vs Kosovo as one where “everything went wrong.”
- The Leeds defender was at fault for the opening goal in a 2–0 defeat.
- He’s started Leeds’ last three Premier League matches under Daniel Farke.
- Leeds face a brutal run of fixtures against Villa, Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool.
- Farke will need Bijol to recover quickly to help avoid a relegation battle.
What’s Next
Bijol and Slovenia face Sweden on 18 November, where he’ll come up against club teammate Gabriel Gudmundsson. Leeds resume Premier League action against Aston Villa on 23 November, with Farke hoping Bijol returns sharper and more composed after his international setback.
👉 Leeds fans — can Bijol bounce back from this poor display and establish himself as a defensive leader, or should Farke rotate ahead of the tough fixtures to come?
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