BIELSA’S LOST Argentine boss finding it hard to fathom why Leeds are going off the boil after their fast start to Premier life HIS MOJO
MARCELO BIELSA’S magic is fast disappearing with Leeds heading into a tailspin.
Dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Crawley and now well beaten by a Brighton side who hadn’t won since November – it’s turned into a disastrous start to 2021 for the Argentine.
Defeat by Graham Potter’s excellent Seagulls on a ropey pitch inflicted a third straight defeat on Bielsa – the first time that’s happened since his arrival at Elland Road. And on a day when his stars were outmanoeuvred, the South American professor will need to dig deep to find a way to stop the rot.
Bielsa admitted his team are struggling – and he’s worried.
“We didn’t attack well, we didn’t defend well and we also didn’t play well but the result could still have been different,” said the Leeds boss.
“Even while playing below our capabilities we still could have aspired to a better result. The lack of chances worries me.
“The fluidity to attack is not the same in the last two games to what we have been used to.”
Leeds – without the suspended Kalvin Phillips – were missing their usual high-tempo intensity, and creativity was in short supply from players who charged out of the Championship and made an instant impact in the Premier League.
B u t t h a t shouldn’t detract from a mightily impressive Brighton display that makes it baffling why Potter’s side have been struggling in the lower reaches.
Potter said: “To come here for our third game in six days, against this team and keep a clean sheet is a
We didn’t attack well, we didn’t defend well and also didn’t play well. The lack of chances worries me
great result. I’m so proud of the players.
“We were smart in defence, if you open up too much you make it a game that favours Leeds.
“I’d rather have a second, but 1-0 wins always show a lot about the character of a
MAUPAY DAY Brighton’s French striker Neal Maupay celebrates after scoring
team, especially with the week we’ve had including 120 minutes and penalties against Newport in the Cup.” Their football was accomplished, intelligent and full of invention – and featured one of the best team goals surely seen so far this season as the Seagulls registered their first league win in 10 games. With 17 minutes gone Brighton carved through the Leeds defence with a rapid passing move that Bielsa would have been proud to claim himself. Ben White – imperious on his return to the club he helped get promoted to the Premier League – played a key role picking out eyecatching Argentine Alexis Mac Allister. He played a one-two with Leandro Trossard before pulling the ball across goal for Neal Maupay to tap in.
If anyone expected Brighton to sit back they were wrong as they took control to leave the home side looking ordinary.
Leeds have now lost six of their last nine games and seem to have hit a brick wall.
That obstacle yesterday was in the shape of Brighton’s formidable back three – Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Dan Burn.
When the Leeds fightback eventually whirled into action in the second half they repelled everything Bielsa’s stars threw at them – even though in terms of chances that wasn’t much.
Yet Leeds had started as if they had a point to prove after last weekend’s humiliation at Crawley. Ezgjan Alioski delivered a killer cross into the heart of Brighton’s six-yard box but Rodrigo couldn’t connect.
But Brighton quickly took charge of the half with an impressive mix of razorsharp passing and fluid movement in the final third.
Their goal should have sparked a reaction but Leeds were leggy, lethargic and off the pace.
It could have been worse with the bar saving Leeds from conceding a second after 25 minutes when Trossard’s attempted cross flicked off Luke Ayling’s boot onto the woodwork.
Leeds were better after the break but only Jack Harrison came close to an equaliser with a left-foot shot that curled wide.