'He has a completely opposite way of thinking than I do' - Ralph Hasenhuttl on 'famous' Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United

Opposite forces will collide when Ralph Hassenhuttl brings his Southampton side to face Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United tomorrow night.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT - Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says he and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa think in opposites but doesn't disagree with the way the Argentine operates. Pic: GettyOPPOSITES ATTRACT - Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says he and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa think in opposites but doesn't disagree with the way the Argentine operates. Pic: Getty
OPPOSITES ATTRACT - Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says he and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa think in opposites but doesn't disagree with the way the Argentine operates. Pic: Getty

The Saints boss, who admits he and Bielsa see things very differently when it comes to the tactical side of the game, is dealing with a number of injury issues as he tries to halt a winless slump that began on January 16.

Southampton's draw with Chelsea at the weekend was their first point since a 1-0 win over Liverpool on January 4 and following it up with another positive result against the side sitting directly above them in the Premier League table would be significant for Hasenhuttl.

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Will Smallbone, Sam McQueen and Michael Obafemi are all long-term absentees, while a trio of Saints, Theo Walcott, Ibrahima Diallo and Kyle Walker-Peters, are suffering from hamstring problems. The influential Stuart Armstrong is currently rated as 50:50 for the Elland Road clash.

Recovering from the weekend game in order to be as fresh as possible to face the side who runs the most in the Premier League was on Hasenhuttl's mind as he turned his focus to the Whites.

"For us, it's more important now that we recover well," he said.

"We have a lot of injury problems so it is important now that we get fresh again because it is going to be a very difficult game. We know all about their running stats. They are one of the most energetic teams in the league. They also played [at the weekend] so they have had the same time to recover as us. Hopefully, we can compete."

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Like Bielsa, Hasenhuttl preaches an energetic pressing game but he says the Argentine's man-to-man marking system is what separates their philosophies.

"He is a famous manager, a successful one with Leeds, "said the Southampton boss.

"He has a completely opposite way of thinking than I do. Their defending is definitely more man-oriented rather than ball oriented. It will be interesting on Tuesday.

"There are more ways to do it, not only one. As long as he is successful, everything is okay. The Premier League is very tactical at the highest level and you have to find your balance. This will be one of the more interesting games. We do not have a lot of time to prepare for this game, but for Leeds this is the same. I just spoke about the different way of looking at football and we're also very unique in our defending way, I don't see many teams do it how we do it. I am sure you could say the same about his. It's the opposite. It will be interesting to see."

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Going into the game the Saints are just two points behind their hosts, who have earned plaudits for their performance, style and results since promotion to the top flight. Talk around Elland Road has rarely focused on the worst case scenario, thanks in part to the struggles of their fellow new boys Fulham and West Brom who both currently occupy the drop zone alongside Sheffield United.

Hasenhuttl, perhaps due to his side's form, is only too happy to mention the 'r' word and the urgency with which they need to pick up results.

"We have 30 points," he said.

"If we finish on 30 points we are relegated, so it is not done. We still need points. Now it's time to keep on going."

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