Part 1: Leeds United Defending

Newly promoted Leeds United have made an impressive start to the Premier League campaign.

Marcel Bielsa’s side are a team full of young talent and possess a work rate that has seen them contest with some of the Premier Leagues big boys already this season.

Playing vs Man City Leeds on the weekend and coming out with a 1-1 draw, Leeds showed an incredible desire to defend in this game. Playing in a 14141 formations Leeds would press from the front with Bamford angling the press for his team mates. This would half the field and allow his team to move to one side. On many occasions City were forced into kicking it long where Leeds would then have numerical advantage.

When playing out Leeds were dogged and aggressive in their approach, many times closing down passing lanes quickly and preventing City’s key players the time to turn.

By forcing the ball wide and then doubling up on City Leeds set many traps which saw them win the ball back several times.

When the press was broken Leeds knew when to PRESS vs DROP and DELAY.

The Leeds backline would get compact and narrow and By delaying this allowed players to recover and help. With both full backs attacking Leeds were exposed in the turnover where the two center backs would face a pacey Raheem Sterling. Both Center Backs did well in staying on their feet, getting narrow and delaying the opponent which in turn bought time for recovery players.

Key features:

• Compactness

• Angling the press

• Intensity to close down and prevent turns

• Doubling up on opponents

• Understanding when to Press vs Delay

• Understanding when to go to ground

• Immense work rate to fight and recover the ball

Bielsa is a top coach and has installed a resilient, determined mindset into his team. It is great to see Leeds back in the premier League and with this work rate they will be a very good team to watch this year.