Rodrigo branded the four-minute spell where Leeds United scored twice and conceded once ‘crazy’ as his winner secured Marcelo Bielsa’s side their second Premier League win of the season. Speaking after the match, the collective relief in the Leeds dressing room was clear in Rodrigo’s voice as his goal lifted the Whites out of the relegation zone.
Rodrigo said: “It was very important. I’m really happy to score again but, more importantly, to win the game,” claimed the Spain international. We deserved the win. We had a really tough game, like all the games in the Premier League so we are really happy and looking forward to the next one.”
A four-minute spell in the second half ultimately decided the outcome of the match after Raphinha put Leeds in front with a brilliant solo goal. Andrew Omobamidele immediately brought Norwich level with a bullet header but it meant very little as Tim Krul was unable to keep out Rodrigo’s long-range strike. There was some doubt as to whether the third of those goals would stand as Raphinha was potentially blocking the goalkeeper’s view in an offside position, but VAR deemed the onfield decision to be correct. When asked what it was like to be part of such a frantic few minutes,
Rodrigo said: “It was crazy. We shouldn’t concede that goal after scoring but that’s part of football. I think we had a good reaction which is the important thing so we are really happy for the result. To be honest, in the moment that I scored, I didn’t realise [about Raphinha potentially being offside] but we had the VAR [check] and they didn’t see anything, the goal was okay and I’m really happy about it.”
Leeds staff and players will be hoping they have turned a corner this season as they look to ascend up the table ahead of the start of the typically busy winter schedule. While he felt as though he and his team mates have not got the amount of points their performances have deserved, Rodrigo was very honest in his assessment of the campaign so far.
Rodrigo said: “I think everyone in professional football works to be as high as possible but we also know that all the teams work like us,” he said. I think it’s true that we didn’t start the season well but my opinion is also that we deserved more than we have got at the moment. We played really good games and didn’t achieve wins but that’s football. We just have to keep working and keep believing. I want to thank the support of our fans, it was really important today again.”
