Marcelo Bielsa’s enticing Leeds United

Leeds United were jostling in the winds of the Championship before Andrea Radrizzani and Chief Executive, Angus Kinnear had the foresight to travel to Buenos Aires to pitch Marcelo Bielsa. Since then, they almost secured promotion the season before last season while they finally returned to English football’s top flight last season. One of English football’s most well-known clubs partnered with one of the forefathers of the modern game and arguably the game’s most astute tactical minds. Leeds have progressed and ensured stability with clever acquisitions in the transfer market as well as ensuring the team is engaged behind an entertaining tactical system. Leeds will not only be a force to be reckoned with but have added some entertainment to the Premier League as well.

Build-up

Bielsa’s Leeds operate in a standard to 2+3 shape or a 4+1 based on the spacing of the players, connections and interpretations of the roles of each player within the overall team structure. Mainly, the goalkeeper is granted easy access to the centre-backs and fullbacks to properly circulate the ball and move the opposition defensive shape from one side for Leeds to change the point of build-up with a switch ball to progress into the opposition half. Although, it is a rigid structure with established week-to-week principles, Bielsa cleverly adds variation in terms loosening positional roles and establishing pre-determined and rehearsed rotations to beat opposition pressure. For instance, Kalvin Phillips or (formerly) Ben White’s fluidity and movement in the six space allow Leeds to move the ball as in certain situations, the deepest-lying controller can drop in between the centre-backs to create a three-chain to entice the opposition to apply pressure and vacate the six-space giving the centre-backs the opportunity to drive into the six space.

In the situation above, Leeds are in their regimented 4+1 shape as the opposition are pushing forward in a narrow press, situationally marking the centre-backs using their reception of possession as a pressing trigger. Leeds hinder this by spacing their fullbacks closer to the touchline, so the keeper can work a direct pass to the fullbacks to evade opposition pressure or as in the situation above, the keeper can work a pass to the centre-back who will move the ball to the fullback as the deepest-lying midfielder will move wider thus attracting pressure. When the ball moves into the wide areas, the fullback will have direct passing options with the ball-near midfielder and winger interchanging in between the wide zone and the half-space or the deepest-lying midfielder moving closer as a passing option to work wide combinations to progress play. If Leeds manage to attract pressure to one side, then they will switch the ball to the ball-far fullback who will then drive forward and work combinations with his own ball-near midfielder and winger.

Kalvin Phillips who will normally operate as the deepest-lying midfielder will move from side to side as a direct passing option for the fullback while once the ball moves to one flank, the centre-back will position himself directly behind the fullback as a passing option as the ball-far centre-back will move slightly closer as the goalkeeper will be a passing option in between them. If Leeds, switch the ball to one flank with Phillips positioned on the far side, the ball-near midfielder or winger will drop into the half-space with the striker, Patrick Bamford moving the flank as a passing option to create numerical superiority as once Leeds move the ball into the opposition half, the winger, ball-near fullback and striker will be interchanging in the wide areas to create space by disorienting the opposition backline for passes so Leeds can create opportunities.

Switch balls also allow the fullback the space to drive into the centre with Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas recognising space to then shift the ball to the wingers who will cross into the box. Ayling will at times receive the ball on the right flank under pressure, will work combinations with his centre-back or ball-near midfielder to then move into the centre to work a pass in between the lines or switch the ball to the far side. Dallas is a player that Bielsa trusts with less positional constraints than other players as times, he can leave his left-back role and act as an auxiliary midfielder, creating numerical superiorities in certain areas against deeper blocks. Ayling and the centre-backs will act as a makeshift back-three as Bielsa is willing to sacrifice counter-attacks down the vacated left-flank to have an extra man in midfield to exude control. Ayling will move into midfield and drop deep to receive the ball then push forward to attract markers to open passing lanes for teammates.

Leeds utilise their movement and player spacing to open passing lanes, especially to the six space as Phillips is tasked with managing his movements as he can maintain a central position and open the space for the ball-near midfielder to drop deep to receive possession before pushing up to open a passing lane to Phillips. Or to allow the centre-back to push into the space and receive the ball as if it is closer to the box, the keeper will move behind the centre-back so he can easily release the ball to the keeper who will switch play or the centre-back will push higher then Phillips when he receives the ball to the dump the ball to Phillips who will have a better overview of the whole pitch. The centre-back can also drive forward to work a pass in between the lines.

Leeds’ overall shape will be a 4-1-4-1/4-1-1-4/4-2-4 as once the ball is moved into the six-space from their different variations, their two free 8s will be direct passing options for Phillips or in between the lines as they will turn and work passes into the wide areas for wide combinations before Leeds work a switch-ball or a cross for a runner at the back post. At times when the ball is moved to the fullbacks, the winger will move inside as a passing option in the half-space or eight space with the midfielder moving outside him as the midfielder and winger will switch to create space for the player in possession to have an open passing option. Leeds can work sequences where the winger will move into the half-space, push up to drag a marker and open a passing lane to the six space for the fullback to work a pass to Phillips who will then play a ball back to the same flank for the player in the half-space to dummy and move into the wide zone for the fullback to receive the ball in the lateral zone. Then a different player will move into the half-space to receive a pass from the fullback in the half-space to then work a pass to the lateral zone for Leeds to break in space.

Leeds will also work sequences where Phillips will drop deeper into the six-space to push up before one of the midfielders will make a timed drop into space to receive the ball from the centre-back or fullback. Or Leeds can vacate the six space to move the ball to fullback as instead of Phillips being positioned in the six-space, he will move to the wide zone to receive the ball in the higher central pockets for wide rotations and numerical superiority or for Leeds to drag the opposition to one flank before switching possession to the far side.

Leeds will normally work more elaborate build-up routines as situationally Phillips will move into the ball near half-space as his side will then work the ball to the ball-far centre-back as once he receives the ball, the ball-far deeper-lying midfielder will drop into space to receive the ball to flick it to the ball-far fullback or turn and progress play in the central areas. Bielsa’s side will also overload one side of the pitch with both 8s being positioned in the same flank in goal-kick situations or in wide build-up situations to work intricate connections before switching the ball to ball-far winger. Leeds are not averse to playing more direct build-up play as they will work combinations with centre-backs working a wall-pass to attract pressure before playing a pass to Phillips or a fullback on the half-turn to ping a direct ball in behind to a winger making a run in behind to have a shooting or low crossing opportunity.

Positional Play

Leeds transition play in the opposition half is focused on late central runs and rotations in the wide areas to create space for passing sequences as they will to drag defenders out of position to open passing lanes. The wingers, fullbacks and ball-near central midfielder will consistently work rotations for lobbed passes into the half-spaces or to create space in the wide areas for low crosses and high crosses to runners at the back-post. Bielsa utilizes a great deal of positional fluidity in attacking interchanges as well as creating breaking situations from their 4-1-4-1 pressing and attacking shape with midfielders or fullbacks making late runs into the centre to receive the ball and have shooting opportunities. Leeds also believe in stretching the pitch and working direct switches so their wingers Jack Harrison and Helder Costa have 1v1 opportunities.

In the situation above, Leeds are in the attacking phase are their movements in between the lines are tasked with disrupting the opposition defensive shape. The left-sided centre-back, Liam Cooper has pushed into the midfield line alongside Phillips as Stuart Dallas is pushing into the midfield line as Bamford has moved out of the nine space as the left winger is hugging the touchline on the left with the right-back stretching play on the right. With Dallas moving into the central areas, the opposition winger will have to decide to track him and open a passing lane to the winger who will have a 1v1 with the fullback as if he cuts inside, the ball-near midfielder will make a curved run outside him. Or he could hold his position and Phillips could work a pass in between the lines for Dallas to receive possession. If Phillips works a pass back to Cooper, then he can play a pass to the winger who will have a 1v1 with the ball-near midfielder making a run inside him while Dallas will make an overlapping run triggered when the winger cuts inside.

When Leeds have possession in the opposition half, their players are in constant movement to create space, especially in the wide area as the wingers will receive possession with their ball-near midfielders moving into the half-space to create space for the winger to cut inside with the fullback making a curved overlapping run on the overlap as the winger can play a pass into the half-space for the midfielder to spread the ball to the fullback who will work a low cross into the box. The winger could also lay-off a pass to a deeper-lying midfielder in the central areas who will lob a pass for the fullback to have a crossing opportunity. Even when the centre-backs are in possession at the half-way line looking for central passing options, the wide players will still be in a phase of constant interchange as it manipulates the opposition defensive shape.

The winger, ball-near midfielder and fullback will constantly be interchanging positions as this allows the winger to move into the nine-space allowing, the central striker, Patrick Bamford to drop deep and receive possession in between the lines while the winger will make a movement back to the flank to clear a path for him. These movements also create space in the half-space for a player to receive possession in between the lines. Bielsa also adapts to his playing staff as if Pablo Hernandez is playing, he will receive possession in the deeper wider channels where Bamford will move out wide to participate in interchanges for the Spaniard to lob a pass for a runner in the half-space to have a shooting or crossing opportunity. If Tyler Roberts is playing in midfield then he will move into the nine space and interchange with Bamford as they are both talented at receiving the ball in between the lines. There were even instances where the Welshman, Roberts would be deployed as a striker and would receive the ball in between the lines with the two wingers and ball-near midfielder taking turns at filling the nine space as Roberts receiving possession in between the lines will trigger movements in the attacking areas.

Roberts will also drop into the ten space in the build-up phase to receive the early ball in between the lines but when Leeds move possession into the opposition half, he will make a curved run behind Bamford to open a passing lane or create a crossing opportunity for the striker. However, if Bamford moves into the wide areas, he will not immediately move into the nine space, preferring to move into the area when Leeds have worked wide interchanges, so he can make a late run and meet the delivery. Bamford will normally prefer to make runs to the back-post or into the central area in the six-yard box, so this allows Roberts or even the wingers, Costa or Harrison to make late movements in front of him to meet deliveries and have clear cut goalscoring opportunities.

Leeds thrive on late central runs as if Phillips is in possession, deep in the opposition half, Ayling will make a run into the centre to receive possession as the extra man where he can work a combination in between the lines to create a shooting opportunity for himself. Ayling and Dallas will normally make surges into space in the opposition half as this allows the attackers to make movements off the ball to create space for the fullbacks to continue their runs or give them passing options. Both will also act as inverted fullbacks in certain situations as Leeds will operate as a 2-3-5 with both making late runs into the midfield line to receive possession, work the ball to the central or half-spaces and continues their runs to have opportunities on goal.

Leeds could also work attacking moves where they have a cluster of attackers on one side of the pitch with one player in the centre and another on the far side for a switch ball. Bamford will move into the wide areas to work wide combination moves with the winger, midfielder, fullback while Phillips will also move to the flank at times to establish an overload. The ball-far 8 will move into the nine space with the ball-far winger to establishing width for the switch ball on the weak side as Leeds could work combinations through fluid movements and interchanges to work a low crossing situation on the ball-near flank or switch to the far side for the ball-far winger to have a crossing or shooting opportunity.

Leeds wide combinations are so effective because of the constant movement and rotations, the winger could be holding the lateral zone, with a midfielder in the half-space with Bamford moving into the wide areas as the winger could receive the ball and cut inside while the Bamford moving to receive the ball in the half-space while the midfielder will veer into the lateral zone. However, once the midfielder receives possession in the lateral zone then the fullback will make an overlapping run as the extra man to disorient the defence and attract a marker to give Bielsa’s side numerical and spacial superiority.

Leeds’s tight-space in the wide areas is also effective as in the photo above, Leeds have the player spacing and positioning to work quick and effective one touch sequences to move the ball into space for high quality shooting opportunities in the box and low crossing opportunities from the wide areas. In the photo above, Leeds are in a 5v4 situation where the opposition have the numerical superiority, but the movement and quick passing interchanges have allowed Bielsa’s side to create space as Bamford in the half-space has dropped deep into the half-space to open space for a run in behind as well as a passing and crossing lane to Roberts. The other player below Bamford in the half-space can work a pass to the English striker and continue his run to receive the ball in space and cut-back for Roberts or Bamford can play a one-touch lay-off to a player making a run inside to the wide area who will play a one-touch pass to the winger making a run in behind to have a cut-back opportunity.

Bielsa’s side will also be able to switch the ball as once the ball is worked into the deeper zones, a player will push up from deep to receive possession while central player will drop deep to receive possession. Players dropping deep will be facilitated by Leeds players moving into the central areas from the wide areas for instance, if Bamford moves into the nine space, it will facilitate, Tyler Roberts or currently Rodrigo dropping deep while Bamford can drop deep instead moving into the nine space. The right-back Ayling will move into the central areas as an inverted fullback to receive possession while the winger or wide midfielder will maintain the width with the other player tucking in to receive possession as Leeds can create overloads in the central pockets or in the half-space as these movements and interchanges will disorient the opposition back-line while opening passing lanes to the half-space.

If Ayling decides to move into the wide areas as an extra man, it allows Leeds to have numerical superiority in the half-spaces with the winger moving into a more central role while the wide midfielder will make a movement into the higher areas of the half-space by the opposition by-line where he can cut a cross back to the winger or the nine space. In wide interchanges, the deepest-lying midfielder which is usually Kalvin Phillips will also move into the half-space to receive possession turn and switch the ball or continue the wide interchanges on the flank by working one-touch interchanges before moving into the half-space or flank, where Ayling will either make a run into the available space in the centre or on the flank. Leeds consistently use a rotating triangle movement with three players rotating to receive the ball and create space before adding another runner to receive possession and have a shot on goal.

This season, Bielsa has begun to use Rodrigo in a shadow-striker/auxiliary midfielder role to lessen the reliance on Bamford to be in the nine space while also allowing Bamford to occupy the nine space with Rodrigo dovetailing him or moving into the wide areas to work the wide interchanges. For instance, Leeds can switch the ball to the winger in the lateral zone, the ball-near midfielder will push higher in the half-space to create space for Rodrigo to drop into to receive possession while if they move possession into the centre, Rodrigo will move into the same vertical line in the nine space where one of them will drop into the ten space to receive possession. Their partnership is also integral during crossing situations as Rodrigo can make late runs into the box to drag two defenders out of an area to create space for Bamford or the Spaniard will make a late run into the centre and allow Bamford to move into space at the back-post where he can have a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity.

Any player deployed in the ten space be it Tyler Roberts, Rodrigo or Pablo Hernandez will constantly be scanning and checking for Bamford’s movement to make runs to the near post, drop deeper to receive possession and work connections for low crosses that allow Bamford to move into space and receive possession. They will also receive the ball at the top of the box and in central zones to work passes to Bamford in the box to have high quality shooting opportunities. Playing with a partner allows Bamford to combine with teammates in the wide areas with a teammate holding the nine space as the Englishman can then make late runs into space and have clear-cut opportunities on goal.

In the Premier League, Leeds and Bielsa have displayed a renewed focus on movement in attacking interchanges to switch the ball directly through the channels to give their wingers 1v1s and the ability to have crossing opportunities. Leeds have managed to score goals and create high quality opportunities in counter-attacking situations. Leeds can move the ball into the wide areas for the winger to cut inside which triggers a midfielder pushing forward to create space and opening a passing lane to another midfielder who will receive possession and switch possession for the ball-far winger who will try to cut inside, cross or release the ball for an overlapping fullback who will then deliver the cross into the box. Leeds will focus on or two-touch passing interchanges in the zones to create space as Leeds will normally work passes back to their centre-backs or goalkeeper with Phillips pushing up and a midfielder dropping deep to receive the ball and release it to the wide areas who will work the ball back into the centre before switching the ball to the weak side or lobbing a pass onto the ball-near flank to create a 1v1 opportunity with runners into the box to have crossing or shooting opportunities.

Counter-pressing

Leeds seek to counter-press to sustain attacks and prevent opposition counter-attacks as this has been a staple of Marcelo Bielsa’s philosophy at every club and country that he has managed. The Argentine demands physical and mental focus as when his side lose possession, they will swarm the opposition to regain the ball as quickly as possible to prevent the opposition from creating opportunities while creating opportunities while the opposition is disorganised. His team can swarm the opposition with intensity and organisation or they can sit-back, mark the opposition players in the area and force the opposition player in possession to play a long ball or for him to hold possession so the striker can make a challenge on his blind-side to regain possession and lead a counter.

If the opposition regain possession near their box or in their own half, Leeds will swarm around the player in possession to create a 3v1 situation to force a turnover with a challenge or forcing the opposition to pass the ball back to the keeper where Leeds can switch into their 4-4-2.4-1-4-1 pressing shape to force a long-ball or interception. To facilitate this counter-press is facilitated by the centre-backs pushing up to intercept loose passes or man-mark the opposition out-ball to regain possession as quickly as possible. The opposition being pinned back in their defensive shape with players positioned closely together as this allows Leeds to press with three-man waves covering small spaces and tracking passes to eventually regain possession. If Leeds lose possession in the opposition half, then they will instantly put pressure on the man in possession but if the ball is switched with a wide pass or a back-pass they will continue to follow the ball and press with the same intensity and fervour until they force a turnover or the ball goes out of play.

Individual players also have to analyse certain situations if Leeds are applying pressure on one flank then the ball is switched to the weak side, the winger or fullback on that flank will have to decide to put pressure on the ball or drop back and facilitate the interchange to the defensive phase of the game. The player will normally apply pressure when the ball is in the air to make the challenge on the player’s first touch while if there is an unmanageable distance and the opposition player controls the ball and is in the process of driving forward and looking for passing options then the Leeds player will drop back to provide cover for the centre-backs. As games wear on and with the irregular pre-season this year, Leeds will sometimes counter-press by not directly counter-pressing the player in possession but by man-marking the players in the area while the attackers in front of them will engage the man in possession or Leeds will be triggered into engaging the man in possession if he pushes forward with the ball then the three nearest players will converge on him. This allows Leeds to rest and preserve energy without retreating to an overtly defensive strategy.

Leeds will lateral press with ferocity in the wide areas as they will normally work wide combinations with 4 or even 5 players as it is integral they hem the opposition into a tight space and force the turnover to deny a direct ball into the channels or a switch ball to the weak side as this would give the opposition a breaking opportunity. Bielsa’s side will press the touchline ferociously to regain possession as they also have the opportunity to work wide combinations while the opposition is disoriented and play crosses into the box where late runners will have high quality opportunities. Leeds attack as a singular unit while also defending as a singular unit as when the opposition is launching a counter attacker, the player closest to the centre-backs will drop back to supplement the defence and look to slow down the opposition counter to allow his teammates to drop and the side to regain their shape.

Pressing

Bielsa has drilled Leeds in pressing as a 4-1-4-1/4-4-2 shape from the inside to force turnovers, provide cover in the central spaces to force the opposition into pressing traps in the wide areas or force a long-ball. Even when the opposition work the ball back to the goalkeeper, a striker will push up to apply pressure inside his centre-back marker while the ball-near winger will move central to support the striker by applying pressure on the keeper inside the box while keeping the ball-near centre-back in his cover shadow to force the long ball while a pass to his centre-back marker will trigger the winger into moving in front of his fullback to close the passing lane and force a longer pass that would allow Leeds to regain possession. Pressing the centre is like every facet of Bielsa’s Leeds is something that is implemented on an individual and team level as Leeds’ players will mark their marker’s cover shadows preventing them from turning inside instead forcing them to turn into a body position facing the wider areas to play a pass to the flank rather than into the centre.

In the situation above, Leeds have forced the opposition into the wide areas as playing with a singular striker allows Bielsa’s side to tease passes into the second-line to initiate pressing traps and triggers as the striker will press the keeper and the keeper could play a pass to the centre-back. In this situation, the ball has been played to the right-sided centre-back, the striker has moved to close the passing lane to the ball-far centre-back and the keeper, the ball-near winger has moved in front of his marker to close the passing lane to the fullback and apply pressure in a 2v1 situation. The two opposition midfielders are man-marked while the ball-far midfielder is marking the opposition ball-far fullback while having a focus on the opposition ball-far centre-back. Leeds’ focus is denying the opposition access into the centre and making the spaces small to gain better coverage as they have utilized a strong pressing shape with the opposition having 6 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper to Leeds’ 5 pressing players.

If the opposition look to play a pass into the central midfielder to work a one-touch pass to the ball-far centre-back then the ball-far winger will push up to apply pressure on the centre-back with the striker moving to close him down while the ball-near midfielder will step in front of his marker to create a 3v1 pressing situation while the ball-far fullback will push up to close down the opposition fullback as Leeds will shift their defensive line to the far side with Kalvin Phillips providing cover. If the centre-back manages to turn and play a pass back to the goalkeeper, then the Leeds striker will push up to press with the winger joining him in the box to close a passing lane to the opposition right-sided centre-back while his fullback will push up to mark the opposition fullback. This will trigger a higher and more intense press as Leeds’ midfielders will also push up ahead of their markers in order to force the long-ball. Maintaining small distances and spaces allows Leeds’ players to cover for each other with numerical superiorities as if the opposition play a pass to one of the midfielders, then one of Leeds’ midfielders will push forward to help his teammate close down their marker while the striker will drop deep to force create a 3v1 situation to force a turnover.

Even when Leeds are looking to regain possession in the counter-press and the opposition move the ball back to the goalkeeper then the focus will be denying the opposition the opportunity to progress through the centre and the players will look to close down players and spaces in the middle to force the opposition out wide or into long balls. In certain situations, Leeds will switch to a 4-4-2 to press both of the centre-backs and force the ball back to the opposition keeper. In the wide areas, the striker, ball-near winger, midfielder and fullback will shift over to close down players and force a turnover where Leeds will interchange and look for high-quality crossing and shooting opportunities.

Defensive Shape

Leeds’ defending may seem haphazard as they will have players covering for each other while looking to maintain a constant focus on putting pressure on the ball to win a turnover and counter. They will sometimes seem like a back five with wingers dropping to support their fullbacks and looking to prevent 2v1s or the deepest-lying midfielder dropping in between the centre-backs as they will look to have an outball with Bamford with or without a partner in the higher areas to receive possession and look to lead the pressing or counter-attacking phase. More than with most teams, Leeds prefer to not be in their defensive shape for a larger amount of time while constantly putting pressure on the ball to regain possession and look to break at pace.

In the situation above, Leeds look to be in a 5-3-2 defensive shape with the two attacking players positioned higher up the pitch to lead the pressing phase, attack an opposition player’s blind-side to win a turnover and lead the counter-attack. Leeds are focused on closing the central passing lanes in the pockets with very tight defensive positioning to prevent passes into the box while forcing the opposition into the wide areas while they have a 5v2 numerical superiority in the box. If the opposition work the ball to the flanks, then Leeds will have a 2v1 numerical superiority to regain possession. However, the issues with Leeds’ defensive shape lies with their players moving and leaving their position in the defensive block as if the opposition are quick and incisive in their attacking rotations then they can create high quality opportunities by moving possession into a vacated space.

If possession is played back, Leeds will push up to utilize an offside trap and switch to their pressure and employ their man-marking scheme to regain possession as soon as possible. Their centre-backs will push up against their attacking markers to win possession through loose passes. In the situation above, there is a focus on positioning a player in the half-space to cut out crosses as well. If the opposition switch the ball then one player will move to mark the winger and one player will close down the half-space to cut out crosses. When Leeds regain possession, their close positioning allows them to work quick interchanges to then play long passes into the channels for runners or switch the ball to the far side to break on the opposition and create opportunities.

Conclusion

Shepherding Leeds United back to the English Premier League has given Bielsa cult-like status at the club as his side have begun this season playing attractive attacking football with impressive performances against Liverpool and Manchester City. Bielsa is the godfather of the modern age of football as his beliefs can be found in every corner of South America and in Europe as he has developed players within a larger framework. His oddities and unique preparation methods have been covered by the English media as his penchant for entertaining football and developing young players as well as his introverted personality have made him an icon for Leeds United and English football. It will be interesting to see how far he can take Leeds and how his side fares against the high-level tacticians in the Premier League.