A Tactical And Statistical Analysis of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United

Leeds United spent 16 years out of the Premier League, looking in with hopeful eyes. However, it wasn’t until Marcelo Bielsa was appointed manager in June 2018 that the club’s present and immediate future changed. Bielsa, possibly one of the most respected figures in football, did the seemingly impossible, leading the Yorkshire club back to the Premier League after winning the 2019-20 EFL Championship.

When the 20/21 season started, Leeds faced tremendous pessimism from the media. In particular, many critics questioned Patrick Bamford’s place in the top flight of football, though these concerns were thoroughly quashed by a defiant string of goals and assists from the player who even went on to be nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month. Despite trepidation within the media coverage, Leeds United came into the season with one task: stay up. What followed was an unexpected, inspiring, and sometimes frantic season that saw Leeds United finish in the Premier League’s top ten teams ranked by most key passes in the 2020/21 season, as well as 18th in key passes for teams in the top five leagues.

Really, though, people shouldn’t have been surprised by the success Leeds had during the season. Bielsa is a tactical genius, albeit a stubborn one. This was made apparent by the fact that, even when teams figured out how they played, Leeds never changed their approach.

Still, it’s helpful to understand the principles Leeds use. This analysis can help provide an understanding as to why the West Yorkshire team are hailed, ahead of the 2021/22 season, at impressive odds of 9/2 to finish in the top 6 in the football betting markets. Evidently, the bookies are prepared to see more success from Leeds and this will inevitably be owing to the implementation of Bielsa’s rigid system.

With this heavily defensive framework mastered, it’s likely that Leeds United could have the capability to sustain their Premier League presence for at least a few more seasons.

Leeds United’s Defensive System

Leeds United play with a two-tiered defensive system. We can divide it into four areas: ball-oriented intense press, man-oriented marking, -1 in the forward press, and +1 in defence. It’s worth mentioning that Leeds United’s ball-oriented press and man-oriented marking have a reciprocal relationship. When Leeds presses intensely after losing possession, the non-pressing players have the chance to transition into a man-oriented marking system.

Area #1: Intense Press

Bielsa is renowned for having high-intensity pressing teams, and it’s something he has passed down. For instance, that’s why Tottenham Hotspur’s 2016 team always played a high-pressing game, as Mauricio Pochettino was a student of Bielsa. As such, it’s no surprise that Leeds have the intense press, but it’s worth noting that it’s rare to see more than one or two players actively pressing. If, for instance, a Leeds player loses the ball to the opposition, another Leeds player will immediately initiate the press to give time for their teammate to move into the man-oriented system.

Area #2: Man-Oriented Marking

Typically, a high possession team would favour a zonal defensive system, but under Bielsa, Leeds play with a man-oriented system. This means that even when Leeds have possession, they have to be aware of their defensive position. Speaking on the transition to man-marking, defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips said: “The first thing I think is, “Where’s my man?’ If I’m nowhere near him, then I’m in completely the wrong position, but we’ve always played man-to-man, and that makes it easier.”

Area #3 and #4: -1 Player and +1 Player

In addition to a two-tiered system, Bielsa utilises two structural principles. The first is having a -1 player in the forward press, which means when the opposition has possession at the back, Bielsa wants Leeds United to press using the -1 forward press rule. The second principle is the +1 player in defence. What this means is that Leeds will use an extra man in their forward press and designate them as a sweeper. By doing this, the extra man helps out with ball-winning.

There’s no doubt that Leeds United will come into the 2021/22 season again feeling like they have something to prove. While some people may think their top ten finish last season was a fluke, understanding the principles Leeds play under Bielsa makes it easier to understand the results we’re expecting to see this season.