S
SEARCH
M
SW
/esi/1339/6_A_1_427130_0/index.html?art_id=427130&ESI

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa recalls Athletic Bilbao win at Old Trafford

:Headline: Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa recalls Athletic Bilbao win at Old Trafford : ID:427130: from db_amp
Marcelo Bielsa was in charge of Athletic Bilbao when they knocked Sir Alex Ferguson's side out of the 2011-12 Europa League.

Marcelo Bielsa has fond memories of a previous trip to Old Trafford but the Leeds head coach will draw upon different recollections to inspire his players as they prepare to resume hostilities with Manchester United.

Bielsa was in charge of Athletic Bilbao when they knocked Sir Alex Ferguson's side out of the 2011-12 Europa League, laying the groundwork for progression to the quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory at United.

While Bielsa cherished the reminder of what took place eight years ago, he is not thinking about using it as a tool to inspire his Leeds players ahead of their first league meeting with United since February 2004.

Instead, Bielsa plans to discuss memories of the fierce rivalries he has encountered in his career, and at the forefront of his mind is the one between his old club Newell's Old Boys and Rosario in his native Argentina.

"The memories are many," Bielsa said of Bilbao's triumph at Old Trafford.

"Initially to the players who produced the performance to the 8,000 Basque fans who attended the game, the image of them being installed to the right hand side of me, I have it installed in my memory.

"That triumph is in the memory of all the Athletic fans and what it has to do with me is it solidified the affection and the link I have with the Athletic fans and the Basque people.

"But I was part of a victory and this victory is less for the protagonists and more for the fans.

"If I had to make a reference of a big rivalry, I would use one of personal experience through the ones I experienced as a Newell's fan or player against Rosario.

"Leeds doesn't ignore what it means to play such a game and we're prepared to adapt to the characteristics that this game will demand. I've been here for two-and-a-half years now and I know the immediate history of the club."

Leeds go into the game at Old Trafford with no new injury concerns following their 5-2 victory over Newcastle in midweek, drawing a line under back-to-back defeats and claiming their first home win in six attempts.

Centre-backs Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are expected to remain sidelined but Pablo Hernandez made his return from injury off the bench at Elland Road on Wednesday.

The midfielder has only made two starts this season and had just eight minutes to make an impression against the Magpies but he still provided the assists for Leeds' last two goals.

"For any player it is difficult for them to be a substitute but the prestigious players and those who are idols, it is even more difficult," Bielsa said.

"Before the start of the competition, nobody can be guaranteed how many minutes they all play. We all understand it is this way and there's no doubt it is difficult to put into practice in a harmonious way.

"Without doubt it is very difficult to manage this."

Leeds leapfrogged Newcastle to move up to 13th in the table after overcoming Steve Bruce's side.

Asked about their progress so far in their first season back in the top flight after 16 years away, Bielsa added: "Seventeen points (from 13 matches) is a decent amount but it wouldn't have been an injustice to have a few more."

amp_article_427130 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-12-18 17:01:48:
html db last update - 2021-01-20 20:57:39 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1897237211634
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Chelsea1985633231029
9Southampton188552621529
10Arsenal198382319427
11Aston Villa1682629181126
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle185491830-1219
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
17Burnley17449922-1316
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
UC
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1897237211634
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Chelsea1985633231029
9Southampton188552621529
10Arsenal198382319427
11Aston Villa1682629181126
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle185491830-1219
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
17Burnley17449922-1316
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225
Scroll for more - Tap for full version
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
X

We value your privacy

A part of our GDPR compliance we need to ask for your consent. We and our partners use technology such as cookies on Sports Mole to personalise content and ads, provide social media features, and analyse our traffic. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on Sports Mole.