BIELSA’S BOYS FIND THE FIGHT TO GO WITH FLAIR
IN THE build-up to this fixture, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani admitted his first choice for the managerial position this summer was Antonio Conte.
What’s more, he said Conte would have assured Leeds promotion. The wisdom of telling Marcelo Bielsa that he was the back-up choice is questionable but as the coach continues to turn water into wine for this famous old club, it is difficult to imagine anybody could offer more certainties than the Argentine.
After twice coming from behind to salvage a draw last night, his team are now top of the Championship. But for a long while this appeared to be a return to the Leeds of last season — the team who slumped into the bottom half and did not win any of their final 11 away games.
As his side went 1-0 down to an Oli McBurnie goal, Bielsa trudged around his technical area, hands on hips, deep in conversation with his cast of scowling lieutenants.
Only 27 minutes in, he brutally hooked midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who had received an early yellow card. When his replacement Lewis Baker picked up a caution of his own shortly afterwards, Bielsa flew off the bench, flapping his arms and shaking his head.
This had been a torturous 40 minutes against a well- drilled Swansea side. yet out of very little at all, Leeds concocted a splendid equaliser. As Kemar Roofe slotted in Jamie Shackleton’s low cross, Bielsa’s staff leapt up and roared their relief, while the boss sat stony-faced, barely flinching. A second player was removed at the interval, playmaker Ezgjan Alioski departing for Jack Harrison.
‘We did not defend well,’ Bielsa said. ‘For 25 minutes, we did not get going. There are important things to correct but we were better in the second half.’
Swansea continued to create chances. McBurnie, scorer of the first when he prodded home on the counter-attack, added a magnificent second as his header looped into the top corner. yet Leeds refused to surrender. While we may rave about the adventure and artistry of Bielsa’s team, they will also require resilience in the long slog of the season and here they showed plenty.
To complicate matters, Bielsa lost captain and centre half Liam Cooper in the warm-up, forcing full back Luke Ayling into central defence as 18-year-old Shackleton came in at right back.
Perturbed by the changes, Leeds made an inhibited start. Swansea were sharp, which is credit to new manager Graham Potter, who suffered an end- of-window fire- sale
that saw Alfie Mawson, Federico Fernandez, Sam Clucas and Jordan Ayew leave the club.
They too remain unbeaten and might have taken the lead before breaking the deadlock when Martin Olsson skewed wide.
After falling behind a secondtime, Bielsa introduced Patrick Bamford and the change worked as the striker turned his man, sped forward and squared for Pablo Hernandez to rescue a point.
SWANSEA (4-1-3-2): Mulder 6; Naughton 6, Van Der Hoorn 6.5, Rodon 6.5, Olsson 7 (Asoro 83min); Fulton 6, Fer 6 (Carroll 74, 6), Celina 7, Roberts 6; McBurnie 9, McKay 6 (Montero 6). Subs not used: Benda, James, Grimes, Dhanda. Scorer: McBurnie 24, 50. Booked: None. Manager: Graham Potter 7. LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Peacock-Farrell 6; Shackleton 7.5, Ayling 6, Berardi 5.5, Douglas 6; Phillips 4 (Baker 28, 6.5), Klich 6; Hernandez 5.5, Saiz 5, Alioski 5 (Harrison 45, 6); Roofe 6.5 (Bamford 64, 6). Subs not used: Blackman, Pearce, Shaughnessy, Rey. Scorers: Roofe 40, Hernandez 79. Booked: Phillips, Baker, Roofe, Saiz. Manager: Marcelo Bielsa 7 Referee: Andy Davies 7. Attendance: 20,860.