Jesse Marsch wants Leeds United to be ‘pesky’ against champions
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is hopeful of drawing on his previous experience of playing against relegation threatened sides when Manchester City visit Elland Road on Saturday.
The American believes that his past with the likes of New York Red Bulls and RB Salzburg will stand him in good stead despite finding himself at the other end of the table.
Leeds currently sit five points clear of the relegation zone, but face a tough fixture against league leaders Manchester City.
Speaking to Football Daily, Marsch said: “I’m used to being on the other end of the spectrum fighting for the title and I know that playing against relegation foes can be a pesky match, and that’s our job on the day – to make the match pesky for Man City.
“I think the league is so good and my respect for every team is so high that it just comes down to the focus and concentration for every game, I don’t have the energy for more.
“I don’t have energy to think about the table and how other teams are doing, what it’s going to look like at the end of the year, I assumed from the very second that I took the job that I was going to be knee deep in everything until May 22nd and I think it’ll stay that way.
Mission Impossible?
Many are tipping Leeds to taste defeat on Saturday as they welcome Manchester City to Elland Road.
The hosts are tipped as heavy underdogs to beat last season’s champions, and are even backed against picking up a draw.
This may come as no surprise after Pep Guardiola’s side were 4-3 winners over Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League Semi-Final first leg.
Leeds also have to shake off the demons of their embarrassing 7-0 thrashing the last time the sides met as City ran riot at the Etihad.
Marsch’s men can take belief into this one as they boast a five-match unbeaten record, and also proving they can do the defensive basics having recorded back to back clean sheets.
Although it may seem a thankless task, with the league leaders potentially having one eye on Wednesday’s second leg in Madrid, there could be a shock on the cards.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal.