It's Time to Admit Marcelo Bielsa Really Is Worth the Hype - Newslibre

It’s Time to Admit that Marcelo Bielsa Really Is Worth the Hype

Marcelo Bielsa is a winner but he brings way more to the team than a stack of silverware. When Leeds appointed him manager two years ago, they were a club in desperate need of progression.


In the 79th minute of what had quite surprisingly been considered as a barren game, Raphina Dias received the ball on the edge of the Everton box. Feinting to move left, he instead turned and fired in a low, fizzing shot past the outstretched gloves of Jordan Pickford.

The away end at Goodison Park, just like the rest of the stadium, remained empty because of lockdown restrictions. The fans watching via television, however, must have breathed a sigh of relief. The scoreline might be slender, but the attacking play on that day had been nothing short of scintillating.

Everton’s creativity was stifled by Stuart Dallas absolutely pocketing James Rodriguez, but they still managed to have eight shots on target.

Leeds United, on their part, had thirteen shots in the first half alone. By the time the deadlock was broken, it can’t have been a surprise. The key to Leeds victory was their stamina. Of that, there can be no doubt. Marcelo Bielsa has drilled almost a military-like durability to this group of players.

In a way, it wasn’t even surprising that Leeds were still playing so aggressively with just ten minutes left. The much-documented murder-ball training sessions run by the enigmatic Argentine paid off in spectacular fashion on Saturday. The players are absolute-machines. What’s more, they are all mentally glued in the same place.

Until Leeds United was crowned winners of the English Football Championship in August this year, the one stick Bielsa’s critics used to beat him with was that the last time he won anything was the 1998 Clausura with Velez Sarsfield.

Marcelo Bielsa brings more than just trophies to the table

The point they missed out on was that Bielsa brings more than just trophies. Make no mistake, Bielsa is a winner but he brings way more to the team than a stack of silverware. When Leeds appointed him manager two years ago, they were a club in desperate need of progression.

After multiple attempts at returning where they felt they belonged, the top of the English Football pyramid proved unsuccessful, the club needed more than just a winner. They needed a philosopher, somebody who would change the whole culture of the club.

Don Revie earned his place in Leeds folklore because of the workman-like fashion of the teams he built. His lads had no qualms about putting in a shift, and their tendency to win at all costs brought them infamy.

The current iteration of the Whites isn’t all that different when you think about it. They possess a never say die attitude that was on primetime show at the Goodison Park. They do have more finesse than their predecessors but it is their unspectacular attributes that have enabled them to make such a solid return to England’s high table.

The fact that this balance has been found, is testament to the superb leadership of Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds United are well and truly back. All thanks to the guidance of one mad Argentine.

 

Also read: Sports Club Villa Confirms Official Medical Partner In A Deal Worth Billions

It's Time to Admit that Marcelo Bielsa Really Is Worth the Hype 1

Author: Timothy Ainebyoona

Timothy is a dynamic analyst passionate about news and all things sport.

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