Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 22 March 2026 18:00, UK

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Jaka Bijol was simply brilliant as Leeds United played out a goalless draw against Brentford at Elland Road on Saturday night.

The defender now looks to have returned to the starting line-up after spending a few weeks out with a muscle injury in January.

But it took some time for the 27-year-old to break into the team in the first place after completing his £15million move from Udinese in the summer.

Bijol did not feature in a single Premier League game until the end of October, but he has since become a key man in Daniel Farke’s defence.

Leeds’ form has placed them back in danger of the relegation zone, with the Whites failing to score in any of their previous four Premier League games.

Jaka Bijol’s superb stats vs Brentford

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Leeds do not want to lose Bijol this summer, despite reported interest from Liverpool.

Such interest exemplifies just how well the centre-back has adapted to the Premier League in recent months, and his talents were on full show on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was utterly dominant in the Leeds box, making a huge 10 clearances, with seven of those coming with his head.

Bijol also made two tackles and three interceptions, and was constantly tasked with dealing with Brentford’s danger man.

Igor Thiago has scored 22 goals across all competitions this season and is a serious challenge for any centre-back.

It says everything about Bijol that the Brazilian was limited to just one shot off target at Elland Road, with the Leeds defender winning 12 of the duels he contested.

The Slovenia international was full value for his clean sheet, earning his side a valuable point in their fight for Premier League safety.

Daniel Farke has learned from Bijol error

When Bijol performed brilliantly on his Leeds debut against Sheffield Wednesday in August, but remained out of the team, fans were bemused.

Farke appeared wedded to a partnership of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, despite consistently poor performances.

When the German did eventually bring Bijol in, Leeds immediately won. Consistent form did not follow immediately, but it did soon after, with the Slovenian starting every game of a seven-game unbeaten streak.

With the Whites now without a win in their last six Premier League games, Farke will hope that Bijol’s return to the starting line-up can have the same gradual impact.