‘All or nothing’ – Pochettino details what he’s noticed about Leeds tactics
Mauricio Pochettino believes Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is mainly concerned with the two boxes and considers the midfield a transition zone.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager played under Bielsa for Newell’s Old Boys, Espanyol and Argentina and discussed his tactics and how he has instilled them at Elland Road.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the 48-year-old said he could not see Leeds drawing too many games this season.
“I think Leeds are one of the teams that play out from their own box,” Pochettino told Sky Sports.
“They build from the back. But, of course, the way that Bielsa plays, he loves to be vertical. To go forward. You need to think in the moment that you recover the ball to go forward and to run. That is Marcelo’s character. All or nothing. It is difficult to see Leeds draw games.
“He loves to be vertical, to play the first pass quickly. I think the middle of the pitch is just transition for him. He is interested in his own box and the opposition box. That is where you win or lose the games, of course.”
Clear admiration
The level of admiration Pochettino has for Bielsa is obvious and he described the Leeds man as his “footballing father”. And his insights into the way Bielsa sees the game are very interesting, with Leeds playing a more “vertical” style than perhaps many realise.
Only Liverpool and Arsenal have attempted more long passes than Leeds this season, with Luke Ayling ranked fifth in the league in terms of long pass attempts by outfield players (via FBRef).
They are also quick to get the ball in the box, and rank second for passes in the penalty area and third for crosses into the penalty area (via FBRef). The Elland Road side also rank fourth in terms of expected goals and assists, evidence of just how effective this approach has been so far this season (via FBRef).
In other Leeds news, ‘Basketball game’ – Rodgers shares what he noticed about Leeds before Leicester game