If there is something that characterizes Marcelo’s teams, it is intensity and tactical variants. Virtues that yesterday Leeds United showed again that, as a local, they had no major problems defeating Crystal Palace and placing themselves in the middle of the standings.
A degree below zero on the thermometer, a field with a lot of frost and the constant shouts of “Loco”. Those were the variables that spiced the duel in the north of England. But the white box quickly began to solve the little tactical resistance that the “Aguilas” squad put up, which until yesterday had the same 29 points as their rival.
The truth is that the third minute of the game had not yet been completed, when the Rosario team gained the advantage. With the usual formula: high pressure at the start while waiting for the opponent’s error. In this way, a powerful shot by Jack Harrison, who brushed against a rival, dislodged goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for the opening of the scoreboard. A 1-0 that in no way made Bielsa’s men slow down. The big man Patrick Bamford had a couple of chances to raise in the first half, but the scoreboard did not budge from the slightest lead.
In the second half, the white team did not speculate either. With a direct game and a clean start, he exposed the little resistance of his rival who, yesterday, did nothing but take refuge, with his best men on offense only on the bench. Everything to avoid the defeat of the vertiginous team of the former coach of La Roja.
At 52 minutes, Leeds found second. With the same precision: pressing in the middle and quick exit. After the goal of Raphinha, who held Guaita halfway, the tireless Bamford won a prize for his insistence and added his twelfth goal in this Premier.
And although the script remained the same, the result did not move anymore. Harrison had a shot on the crossbar, six from the end, but the dice were already rolled. Leeds took no chances and is beginning to justify their return to the top flight.