Marcelo Bielsa 'worried' by Leeds United's defending after seven-goal thriller

LEEDS UNITED head coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted that the pleasure which he derived from the Whites' first Premier League win since April 2004 was tarnished by the sight of his side conceding three goals en route to a 4-3 victory over Fulham at Elland Road.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds raced into a 4-1 lead ahead of the hour mark thanks to a scintillating double from Helder Costa and a fine strike from Patrick Bamford, with Mateusz Klich also netting from the spot.

But Fulham produced a barnstorming rally with a second goal from Alexandar Mitrovic, who had earlier netted from the spot and a strike from Bobby De Cordova-Reid producing an ultra-tense finish that was far more nervy than it should have been.

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The goals from the visitors took Leeds' goals against count to seven already in the Premier League this term, but on the plus side, they have also scored seven goals and showcased their credentials for being the division's great entertainers on their return to the big time.

Professing to being concerned by his side's defensive statistics - and specifically questioned on the new centre-half partnership between captain Liam Cooper and recent signing Robin Koch - Bielsa said: "We are worried. We don't expect that happening because we have been working to prevent us conceding these type of goals.

"As the competition goes on, I think our defence will improve.

"It wasn't due to their (central defensive) partnership that we defended badly. It was because of Mitrovic."

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On his side's victory, he added: "Winning is always important. What this match showed is that we have to continue to do the things that made us successful in the first place, rather than putting players behind the ball. It's an error to stop doing those things once you are leading."

Bielsa confirmed that Pablo Hernandez withdrew from the starting line-up in the warm-up after suffering a slight groin niggle.

Rodrigo replaced him and played in a deep-lying role befoe being substituted at the interval.

Bielsa said: "Pablo had a small knock in the warm-up and we do not think it is very serious.

"With regaords to Rodrigo, it was a tactical change.

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"He did a very good game against Hull from a physical standpoint. I thought if he could replicate that physical performance today, he could have caused a lot of danger for Fulham.

"I was under the impression that he lacked the energy to show his qualities. I think that had something to do with the physical effort he showed against Hull on Wednesday. That's why I subbed him today."

On prospect of new players coming in before the deadline, the Argentine continued: "There are no concrete options at the moment. There is a lot of interest but I'd rather talk about signings when they have been made."

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