Leeds United legend highlights key Daniel Farke team-talk point ahead of Norwich City clash

Dominic Matteo has urged Leeds United to be braver in attacking moments when they face Norwich City in a must-win play-off clash this evening.

Leeds have put themselves in a strong position to reach the Championship play-off final after drawing 0-0 at Carrow Road in their semi-final first-leg on Sunday. Daniel Farke’s side were some way off their scintillating best but will be boosted by a defensive performance more reminiscent of their form earlier in the season.

But while there was plenty to admire defensively, Leeds lacked the cutting edge in attack to turn their second-half dominance into any real openings, with Georginio Rutter quiet upfront and Crysencio Summerville too easily managed. It could be that the plan was always to keep it solid away from home but Matteo insists more risks need to be taken at home.

“We have to really go out there, approach the game properly and the fans will bring the noise and the energy,” Matteo told LUTV. “The players just have to get around that.

“When the noise comes, don't do anything stupid, enjoy it if you can and when you're playing under that kind of pressure, top players can enjoy it. With the quality we have, we should enjoy it and relish this type of game. There's pressure but as a player, these are the games you want to play in.

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“I'm sure the manager will be saying to his team ‘express yourself, don't take chances and make sure you do all the basic stuff well, but when you get an opportunity in that final third, attack them, get at them, create chances and make yourselves a real threat every time on the ball’. We have to do that and be slightly braver, because we’re at home.”

Despite putting themselves in the driving seat to progress, Leeds will take nothing for granted and supporters know all too well how things can still go wrong. But they finished three places and 17 points above their visitors and, apart from slip-ups in their last two, can boast an excellent record at Elland Road.

A fervent home support can sway either way quickly and so it will be crucial Leeds are on the front foot from kick-off. Matteo is backing Farke’s men to do the business but warned they must not sacrifice that defensive stability in return for an all-out attacking performance.

“You'll get more of a feel after five or 10 minutes,” the former Whites defender added. “You’ll have an idea how the game might go. But we have to make sure we're in the ascendancy. First tackle, win your personal battles and do the basics really well. If we can do that in the early parts, then we can go win the game.

“There's a lot of scenarios that could happen. Defensively, we have to be rock solid. If we are solid defensively, which we have been most of this season, we’ll win the game.”