Man City vs Leeds will be ‘full of surprises’, says Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds coach also clarified comments in which he seemed to describe Pep Guardiola as ‘magical’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Marcelo Bielsa is expecting the unexpected when his Leeds United side face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
The opponents’ clash at Elland Road in October saw record signing Rodrigo earn Leeds a deserved 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola’s men in an entertaining fixture.
This weekend, it is Man City’s turn to play hosts.
“The games against teams who have the capacity to have answers or do things that are unexpected make the games full of surprises,” Bielsa said.
The Argentinian clarified comments made earlier this week when he was reported to have described City boss Guardiola as “magical”.
“When I classified Guardiola’s team or style of play as magical, I wasn’t calling him a magician,” Bielsa said.
“What I was trying to say is that in the process his team creates so many surprising attacks. Of course, this is supported by the quality of his players.
“But there is a method which stimulates what they do and this is the difficult thing to detect. From the outside it looks as though the manager has done something magical.
“What I wanted to say was it is impossible to detect how he manages this. But I know clearly there is a method that unites individuality with what he proposes.
“This produces football that is full of surprises. There’s nothing nicer for a spectator than to see something they did not expect. To say the opposite is: When you know exactly what’s going to happen, it causes boredom.”
While Leeds are bidding to improve their record this season against the Premier League’s elite in pursuit of a top-half finish, City are hoping to edge one step closer to a third title in four years.
Guardiola’s side have barely missed a step as they march relentlessly on in all four competitions, but Bielsa said he does not gauge a team nor their coach’s success purely on trophies.
“Of course, the style of a team is only appreciated or valued if it allows you to win,” he added. “This idea of value in something that triumphs has the risk of valuing those who win when they don’t deserve to.
“The results that are obtained are not always the deserved ones and the results deserved are not always obtained.
“So if you want to value results it’s very simple, very easy. But sometimes the results in our analysis generate recognition or criticism and the same thing happens with what you deserve.
“Then there is another way, a lot more simple. To value those who win and to scar those who lose.”
Leeds winger Jack Harrison, in his third season on loan from City, is not available, but Bielsa will otherwise choose from virtually a full-strength squad.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments