MOT View: Bielsa must learn from simple but effective Leicester after struggling Leeds display
Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United deserve plenty of praise for the manner in which they have approached their opening seven Premier League fixtures this season.
Confident, fearless and with 100% commitment to the philosophy that saw them promoted, they have already had opposing managers scrambling to find a way to combat their style of play.
On Monday night at Elland Road though, Brendan Rodgers came with a clear plan and executed it well. But how can Bielsa and his side counteract this kind of approach?
Credit must also go to Leicester City, who fulfilled their instructions incredibly well and were very efficient in front of goal. Despite taking just nine shots, they generated 3.6 expected goals, a testament to just how high-quality their chances were (via FBRef).
Using the pace of Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes and later Cengiz Under off the bench, they sprung from their defensive shape very quickly and looked to create overloads when Leeds committed men forward. Without Kalvin Phillips and with Liam Cooper just back from injury, Leeds struggled to find a solution.
As a side that likes to commit men forward in attack and tends to dominate possession, it would be no shock to see other sides try this sort of approach. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have enjoyed more of the ball in the Premier League this season (via WhoScored), and both came unstuck against similar tactics – City versus Leicester and Liverpool against Aston Villa.
In terms of adapting, the Argentine needs to find a happy medium between prioritising the attack and ensuring that he has the defensive cover necessary. No side has allowed more xG in the Premier League (via FBRef), while the meeting with Wolves is the only match in which they allowed less than 1.2 xG (via FBRef).
Whether Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk or Leif Davis could come into the side and make a difference remains to be seen, but a slight shift in approach is likely needed as sides continue to adapt to Bielsa’s style in the Premier League.
In other Leeds news, ‘Basketball game’ – Rodgers shares what he noticed about Leeds before Leicester game