MOT View: Rarely-seen ace gives Bielsa headache – Three things learned about Leeds v Boro
Leeds United made it a third-straight 1-0 victory in the Championship against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The Whites also recorded a third-straight clean sheet as Kiko Casilla continued in goal despite having a hand injury. Kalvin Phillips wasn’t the same though and missed out with a knock to his calf.
Gaetano Berardi stepped in for Marcelo Bielsa, who once again pushed Ben White into midfield although the Brighton loanee struggled slightly.
Mateusz Klich scored the winner in first-half stoppage time, and despite not being at our fluent best, the Whites maintained their five-point gap to Fulham in third place.
Leeds had two fewer shots than the home side but were much more effective in the final third. Bielsa’s men had six more shots on target, as well as creating three big chances compared to Boro’s zero [Sofa Score].
Here are three things learned about Leeds after their 1-0 victory…
1. Berardi gives Bielsa headache
It was a big night for the Swiss enforcer at the Riverside, but he definitely stepped up. Leeds have been in a good run of form defensively, and Berardi came into the side and helped keep yet another clean-sheet in the Championship. The 31-year-old only made a single tackle but completed an impressive FIVE interceptions according to WhoScored. That level of performance from Berardi means that he doesn’t deserve to be dropped, but Phillips returning would mean that would most likely happen. Berardi has the highest point per game average of any player in the squad this season at 2.4 as well as the highest clean sheet percentage [LUFC DATA]. He has only lost once when playing and that has certainly given Bielsa a headache.
2. Bielsa is starting to show passion
In Bielsa’s first season in the Championship, he was very monotone. El Loco didn’t like to make a scene, and continuously put the spotlight onto his squad of players. Take the example of when he first won the Manager of the Month award, he wouldn’t take a picture with the trophy. The second time? He did. The South American was visibly gutted when Leeds missed out on promotion last season, and that has made him more passionate this time around. His reaction when Klich opened the scoring on Wednesday proved that massively – the ball hitting the net was met with a large roar and continuous fist-pumps. Promotion is a must this season for the Whites, and Bielsa is certainly relishing making that vision a reality.
3. Back on our perch defensively
Wednesday’s clean sheet saw Leeds return to their spot as the best defence in the Championship. Being strong in the defensive third is critical in any promotion push, but with the Whites’ efficiency being way below the rest of the promotion contenders, there is an added importance for Leeds. Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, and Luke Ayling have been critical in this defensive resurgence, and if this run continues it would be hard to look past Premier League football next season. Casilla also deserves a shoutout for going back to basics recently and making important saves in the face of adversity.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has claimed this Whites star would turn into a squad player in the Premier League