Marcelo Bielsa on the game-changing moment at Huddersfield Town, set-pieces and the emergence of another Leeds United youngster

Gjanni Alioski's second half goal changed the game and made it easier for Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United to play their trademark free-flowing, attacking football in the win over Huddersfield.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bielsa felt that when the North Macedonian volleyed in, from a 51st minute corner, it altered the home side's approach and made life easier for the Whites, in an attacking sense at least.

Pablo Hernandez headed home a second goal to give Leeds a 2-0 victory and their sixth straight Championship win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Huddersfield caused issues for the visitors throughout the game, particularly from set-pieces and Bielsa was unhappy with the way his side defended those.

"In the first half we should have created more chances, we had some opportunities to have a chance but we couldn't end it very well," he said.

"We arrived in good condition in front of the opponents' box but we failed in the last part. That worsens the offensive play. When you have chances is one thing, it is another when you don't create them, when you have good condition to create those chances.

"The second half was different because Alioski goal changed the the behaviour of the opponent. Our first goal made it easier for us to develop the play in the second half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We could have scored more goals but could have conceded as well.

Leeds were able to celebrate a sixth straight win (Pic: Bruce Rollinson)Leeds were able to celebrate a sixth straight win (Pic: Bruce Rollinson)
Leeds were able to celebrate a sixth straight win (Pic: Bruce Rollinson)

"In all the match, but especially in the second half we defended set-pieces poorly."

Leeds had to make do without captain Liam Cooper, the centre-half sitting out with a calf problem, and the suspended defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

But the absence of two regular starters did not particularly impact the match, Bielsa said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It wasn't about the absence of the missing players today," said the head coach.

"Berardi had to replace Cooper and had a good match. Alioski replaced Phillips and did well as well. White was in the role of Phillips, Alioski was in the role of Dallas and the rest of the team are the same players. I think we could resolve the absence today. "

The 2-0 lead allowed Bielsa to blood another Leeds youngster late on, 23s defender Oli Casey impressing with a cool cameo in defence.

"He is a player who has developed a lot in the last month," said Bielsa.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He has good character, personality, he has a good defensive presence in the pitch. It is another player from the academy that allows us to have more solutions."

Bielsa is unsure how long he will be without Cooper, but suggested the defender will not be available for Tuesday night's game at home to Hull City.

"It would have been a risk if he had played today," he said.

"But I don't think this situation is going to change on Tuesday. We are going to see which possibility he has for next Saturday."