The Bielsalution is well and truly underway.
They might not quite be the team of two decades ago, but Leeds United got off to a flying start against Stoke City in their televised Championship opener. Mateusz Klich’s first goal at Elland Road showcased the fluid, high-pressing style that new manager Marcelo Bielsa’s teams are renown for playing.
Samuel Sáiz cut inside and played a through-ball to Klich that Butland was unable to get a hand to, to put the Yorkshire club 1-0 up. Watch it here:
🎙️ "It's a dream start for Marcelo Bielsa and @LUFC!"
Mateusz Klich puts the home side in front!
Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow in-game clips and highlights here: https://t.co/ttohqS32GB pic.twitter.com/zSn6QeksZb
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 5, 2018
And despite having a fanbase made up primarily of grumpy Yorkshire folk, it didn’t stop the goal receiving a big reaction on social media:
Lovely slick goal by Leeds, full of interplay, finished by Klich. Pieters played him on.
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) August 5, 2018
Leeds started the way Bielsa will love, super high intensity and score a well crafted goal to lead, Leeds 1 Stoke 0
— James Feligha (@jamesfeligha) August 5, 2018
Leeds United 1-0 Stoke City
Klich with the goal 15 minutes in, leading to Elland Road erupting
That is apart from Bielsa. Calmest man in the ground@talkSPORT2
— ɢᴜʏ ᴄʟᴀʀᴋᴇ 🎙️ (@guyclarke05) August 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/BabsSoltani/status/1026132622735486976
https://twitter.com/Adam_Virgo/status/1026132586148626432
Well worked goal!! Well deserved for Leeds so far 👏🏾👏🏾
— JayJay! (@JayJay_Music) August 5, 2018
Nice goal for Leeds that. Started the game really well.
— Sam (@essjayarr) August 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/ATVSPoseur/status/1026133002852683776
The match is their first under enigmatic Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa, who is credited as influencing the style of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino among others.
The 63-year-old manager has already begun instilling his famously idiosyncratic management style onto the club. Pre-season also saw the signing of left-back Barry Douglas and striker Patrick Bamford, along with Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker and Jack Harrison on season-long loan deals.
Having spent 14 years outside the Premier League and come tantalisingly close to the playoffs on several occasions could this be their year?
