Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was tightlipped over his substution of Rodrigo Moreno during their 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
Rodrigo came on in the 35th minute, played for 10 minutes before the interval and then managed another 34 minutes before being taken off. In other words: one half of football.
It's been suggested it was always planned for him to play no more than a half, given he did not start the match.
“The period in the first half and second half, while he played, the efforts he made physically were superior to those he's capable at this moment after being out for 40 days," said Bielsa.
“Not only physically, but match fitness. I value a lot how he was able to perform in the around 50 minutes he played.
“Because although he's healthy and he's physically fit, the competitive rhythm he needs and the work with the ball is still not there yet."
Pushed on whether he would apologise or explain the decision, Bielsa said: “The contribution that Rodrigo made was above what he's actually capable of doing at this moment.
“More than apologising to to him, I have to thank him for the contribution he made while he was on the pitch, because I insist the contributions he made do not correspond to where he's at in his return."
