Marcelo Bielsa seeks action from Leeds United's 'fifth-worst loss' similar to Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid 'dumpings'

Leeds will return to Premier League action with Saturday afternoon's Elland Road clash against fourth-bottom Brighton, six days after defeat at League Two side Crawley in the FA Cup third round.

United headed to West Sussex with 62 league places between the two sides yet conceded three times within 21 minutes during a nightmare second half.

Bielsa made seven changes to his side but still fielded a strong line up that included returning captain Liam Cooper, England international Kalvin Phillips and record signing Rodrigo as well as Pablo Hernandez.

United's head coach then made a triple change at the break as Jack Harrison plus youngsters Oliver Casey and Jack Jenkins replaced Rodrigo, Cooper and Pascal Struijk and Bielsa readily admitted that his team selection or alterations did not work.

A gracious-in-defeat Bielsa also applauded Crawley on their efforts but United's head coach is now determined to use the setback in a productive and not a destructive manner.

Leeds are no strangers to suffering from upsets in the early stages of the FA Cup though Bielsa still said the loss was United's fifth-worst defeat.

The shock defeat came as part of a week that also saw European giants Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid dumped out of their respective cups by lower league opponents.

Bayern suffered a 6-5 loss on penalties at second tier high-fliers Holstein Kiel in the German Cup after a 2-2 draw whilst Spanish giants Atletico were beaten 1-0 at third tier side Cornella in the Copa Del Rey.

Bielsa, though, said United could not compare themselves to Atletico or Bayern despite 'similar' defeats.

Asked about the reaction to the Crawley defeat in training, what he learned and what he was expecting from Brighton, Bielsa said: "I can't say anything different to what I have already said.

"Of course the interpretation of what the opponent did was heroic, a miracle, it was very good.

"And we were humiliated and ridiculed by the opponent.

"The results allows you to come to these conclusions when the weaker team wins the interpretation - it's natural, logical and fair that it is so.

"There were 60 positions between the two teams, this is Crawley's best result in their history and this is Leeds' fifth-worst loss in their history.

"So the conclusions are fair and like in all the places where it doesn't go well, we try to look at why the things that we didn't want to happen, happened.

"We see also the treatment other teams receive in similar situations like for example Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid who were also dumped out of the cup but we can't compare ourselves to them.

"They suffered similar defeats in the cup to the one we suffered and I always look to see the treatment that these teams have towards these losses.

"I try to extract whatever I can to bring to my team."

Assessing whether the defeat could be used as motivation, Bielsa said: "Never do we look at a defeat in a destructive manner. We always try to look at it so we can try to learn from it."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-how-crawley-towns-former-towie-star-mark-wright-was-used-make-leeds-united-look-even-more-stupid-or-bad-3101082

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins