Marcelo Bielsa Murderball FM21 Tactic – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

Marcelo Bielsa is one of the most fascinating managers in the world of football and is currently tearing it up in the Premier League with Leeds United. After earning promotion from the Championship to the top flight last season, Bielsa’s side sit only 14th in the table. But the performances have been far better than the results and his side have achieved impressive performances and results against the likes of Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa so far this season. Either way, the football that Leeds play can be described as genius, and simultaneously as one of our readers described it – madness. With that, here is a Tactical Analysis of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and the impressive exploits his team have pulled off in the 2020-21 Premier League season.

SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-1-4-1

Leeds have remained with a relatively consistent eleven to the one that got them promoted to the Premier League. The only major differences are Illan Meslier who has now fully replaced Kiko Casilla, Rodrigo coming into the team as an attacking midfielder instead of Pablo Hernandez, and Robin Koch in place of the fantastic Ben White. By making such minimal changes, Leeds have been able to play exactly the same way they did in the Championship, just against better opponents.

Kalvin Phillips anchors the midfield and screens the back-four, allowing Mateusz Klich and Rodrigo to surge forward in attack more often. The flanks are occupied by new signing Rahpina and Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison, who invert regularly and spent a lot of time in central areas. Up top, Patrick Bamford has been one of the Premier League’s surprising performers so far, scoring 14 goals in 22 games.