Marcelo Bielsa will go down in history at Leeds United. The 64-year-old will always be remembered as the man who took Leeds back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. However, after failing to earn promotion in his first season, what has changed during the Argentine’s second season at Elland Road?
Marcelo Bielsa: What Changed in His Second Season With Leeds United?
Increased Focus on Defensive Work
There has been an increased amount of focus on their defensive work this season. With two games still to play, Leeds have conceded 34 goals this season; in comparison, they conceded 50 throughout the entirety of the 2018/19 season.
Every player has played their part in the Whites’ back-line. The defence was not hampered by the change in goalkeeper towards the end of the season following Kiko Casilla’s eight-match ban. They were also not disrupted by the constant change at left-back.
Centre-back Ben White has been credited with playing a major part in their change of fortunes in defence. The exciting defender, whose ability to play out from the back has seen him attract interest from the Premier League champions, has featured in every game so far this season. Having never played in the Championship before, it makes his form appear even more impressive.
However, he is not the only player who should be credited for their stellar defensive work. Liam Cooper has been a rock at the back alongside White, Luke Ayling has made the right-back spot his own, adapting to the work rate that Bielsa demands. Stuart Dallas, the converted left-back, has been tipped by many to win the Player of the Year award at Elland Road.
Even in midfield there have been excellent contributions to the tireless work in defence. Kalvin Phillips has shielded the back four throughout much of this season, sweeping up on the loose balls and making last-ditch tackles to save his boyhood club.
A Clinical Edge
When Pablo Hernandez scored in the 89th minute against Swansea City, that is when Leeds fans started to believe. That is when the stars started to align.
This time, they didn’t bottle it. Last season saw them win just three of their last eight games – this year they won seven out of eight this season.
Bielsa’s side have had a more clinical edge this season. They have put games out of sight before the last 15 minutes, meaning that they are not chasing games.
The Yorkshire side actually conceded more goals in the 15 minutes last season than they did during the 2018/19 campaign. It has cost them 15 points, but that means very little in the grand scheme of things.
Furthermore, they scored five fewer goals in the last 15 minutes than they did during the 2018/19 season. Marcelo Bielsa’s side had a more clinical edge, and a determination to close games off from opponents.
Guts and Determination to Complete Their Mission
Leeds knew that they had squandered their best opportunity in years, as the players sunk to the floor at Portman Road in the last game of the 2018/19 season.
Promotion was let go in true Leeds style, losing in the play-off semi-finals to Derby County.
Yet that defeat only made them stronger. Bielsa could have quite easily have left, leaving the Whites to drown in their own misery.
However, the Argentinean didn’t. He stayed to complete the mission, and there was belief throughout the squad.
Guts and determination helped Leeds over the line, and helped them create history.
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