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 of the match 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 and Butland was unable to get a hand to his shot, putting 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 from their supporters 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
— Guy Clarke (@guyclarke05) August 5, 2018
LEEDS GOAL!!! ?
— Brahim ?? (@BabsSoltani) August 5, 2018
Deserved goal for Leeds, they’ve started the game superbly
— Adam Virgo (@Adam_Virgo) August 5, 2018
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.
— Samantha ? (@essjayarr) August 5, 2018
Well-deserved goal, too. Leeds has been dictating play, and Saiz looks like the Saiz of old. Pretty pass to beat the trap.
— Poseur (@ATVSPoseur) August 5, 2018
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 play-offs on several occasions could this be their year?