Fit but Frozen Out: The Real Reason Buonanotte Missed Leeds’ Trip to Forest

Facundo Buonanotte’s absence at the City Ground raised eyebrows, but the truth is far less dramatic than a fitness scare. The Argentine playmaker was ready to go — he simply didn’t make Daniel Farke’s 20. In other words, this was a classic selection squeeze, not a setback.

The coach’s call — not the physio’s

Buonanotte was omitted purely as a tactical choice, with no injury involved. The January addition, who cut short a loan spell at Chelsea to join Leeds until season’s end, has only had brief cameos so far — a handful of minutes in the 1-1 with Everton and another appearance in the heavy defeat to Arsenal. With Leeds scrapping for survival against Nottingham Forest, Farke opted for different tools on the day.

How the bench got crowded

The picture becomes clearer when you look at who returned. Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha were back in the matchday mix, which tightened the spots available among the substitutes. Meanwhile, Anton Stach was out injured, prompting a shuffle that saw Noah Okafor start alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brendan Aaronson in the forward line. Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto were further attacking options among the replacements. In short: too many forwards, not enough seats.

Did Leeds need him — or just fancy him?

Here’s the nub of it. Leeds chased extra firepower in January after other targets — Jorgen Strand Larsen among them — didn’t materialise. Buonanotte had been on the radar since the summer, but the squad has since slanted towards a back-three shape. That tweak can squeeze out a diminutive creator who thrives between the lines. It begs the question: was this a clever opportunity pick, or a signing made because the door happened to be open again?

From a squad-building standpoint, you can see both sides. On one hand, Farke wants variety: set-piece muscle, power in transition, and a technician who can unlock a deep block. On the other, minutes get tight when the system leans wing-back heavy and you’ve got runners to service a traditional No 9. If you’re weighing up the survival maths — as plenty will be on the best betting sites — Buonanotte may end up as situational cover rather than a week-in, week-out starter.

What it means for the run-in

There’s still time for the youngster to change the narrative. Form, fatigue and fixtures have a habit of flipping hierarchies in the Premier League. One sharp cameo, one clever assist in a tight game, and suddenly he’s first off the bench. The key will be how quickly he adapts to Farke’s demands off the ball and whether Leeds revert to a system that accommodates a roaming creator.

The pundit’s verdict

Right now, it looks like a pragmatic call rather than a snub. With James and Nmecha back, plus options like Piroe and Gnonto waiting in the wings, Buonanotte’s pathway is narrower — for now. But if Leeds struggle to pick locks in the final third, expect the pendulum to swing. If he stays patient and grasps his chances, this ‘technical’ omission could be a footnote rather than the headline of his Elland Road stint.

Bottom line: no drama, just ruthless selection. Survival season will do that to you.