Marcelo Bielsa Claims Pep Guardiola Has Done 'a Lot of Damage' to Football - But in a Good Way
By Adam Aladay
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has claimed that Pep Guardiola's tactical approach as a manager has helped him to do a 'lot of damage' in football, ahead of his side's tussle with Manchester City on Saturday.
United welcome Guardiola's City to Elland Road on Saturday hoping to pick up their third win of the season. The match sees two iconic managers go up against one another for the fourth time.
Guardiola and Bielsa first met in Argentina before the former went on to take over as Barcelona B boss. Speaking ahead of Leeds' clash on Saturday, Bielsa has paid Guardiola one of the finest yet most unique compliments possible, claiming that he has damaged football with the way his setup forces opponents to play more defensively.
"Guardiola did a lot of damage to football because, unintentionally, he invented a system that is how a Guardiola team is defended," Bielsa told DAZN ahead of the game, as quoted by Goal.
Bielsa further refused to be drawn into any comparisons with other managers, adding: “One thing is [Jurgen] Klopp, one thing is Guardiola and another thing is me. I cannot consider myself in a plane of comparison or equality.”
Guardiola's tactical setup encourages his side to dominate the ball and force opponents back, knowing that his players have the quality to break down a low block. Many teams who have looked to carry the fight to a Guardiola side have ended up being exposed and punished. Guardiola's little tactical adjustments, such as encouraging his full-backs to step in-field and act as another midfielder on the ball further allows them to dominate matches.
Bielsa's use of the word 'damaged' may appear to be somewhat of a dig at Guardiola at first glance, but in reality, it is a true compliment to the way the Man City boss sets his teams out to dominate games.
The pair have so far faced off against each other on three occasions, with Bielsa yet to taste victory.