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Football

05th Aug 2018

Leeds United fans have their minds blown by the first goal of the Marcelo Bielsa revolution

JOE

The Bielsalution is well and truly underway

They might not quite be the team of two decades ago, but Leeds United got off to a flying start against Stoke City in their televised Championship opener.

Mateusz Klich’s first goal of the match at Elland Road showcased the fluid, high-pressing style that new manager Marcelo Bielsa’s teams are renown for playing.

Samuel Sáiz cut inside and played a through-ball to Klich and Butland was unable to get a hand to his shot, putting the Yorkshire club 1-0 up. Watch it here:

And despite having a fanbase made up primarily of grumpy Yorkshire folk, it didn’t stop the goal receiving a big reaction from their supporters on social media:

https://twitter.com/BabsSoltani/status/1026132622735486976

https://twitter.com/Adam_Virgo/status/1026132586148626432

https://twitter.com/ATVSPoseur/status/1026133002852683776

The match is their first under enigmatic Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa, who is credited as influencing the style of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino among others.

The 63-year-old manager has already begun instilling his famously idiosyncratic management style onto the club. Pre-season also saw the signing of left-back Barry Douglas and striker Patrick Bamford, along with Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker and Jack Harrison on season-long loan deals.

Having spent 14 years outside the Premier League and come tantalisingly close to the play-offs on several occasions could this be their year?