On Saturday, Leeds took another step towards this long-awaited climb by its supporters, beating Blackburn 3-1. Marcelo Bielsa's men thus race at the head of the English second division, with 78 points. One more from West Bromwich Albion and six ahead of Brentford, the first team out of the direct promotion zone.
Five days to go, it would be a comfortable situation for many teams ... except that Leeds, and Bielsa, have an unhappy passive in the matter. Last year, Leeds had pranced a good part of the season in the lead ... and then had only taken one point over the last four days, missing direct promotion to the Premier League, before collapsing during the play-offs for the last ticket. A course only too well known by their ultra-demanding trainer, customary wherever he spends (Argentina, Bilbao, Marseille ...) seasons with a fantastic start and a denouement in pudding water.
The Argentinian also admitted, after the match at Blackburn, to have worried throughout the meeting. “Every game in this period is important. If we get distracted, we will pay it, so we have to stay focused on each match, "said" El Loco ".
Rich history
The end of the championship behind closed doors, pandemic of Covid-19 obliges, could paradoxically help the "Peacocks", by removing pressure from their audience, recognizes Simon Sanders, supporter of Leeds questioned by AFP. “I would love to be there, more than anything. But we are so stressed right now, and I think it could have an impact on the players, ”explains this year-round subscriber.
Three of Leeds' last five meetings will be at their Elland Road stadium against the poorly ranked Stoke (18th out of 24), Barnsley (23rd) and Charlton (19th). Add to that two trips, to Derby County (7th) and Swansea (8th), to get the climb. "Nothing is normal with this virus and the way the world has changed, but if we get there, we will party for weeks," says Simon Sanders.
Because Leeds, champion of England in 1969, 1974 and 1992, lived a ordeal in the 21st century, especially since its relegation from the Premier League in 2004. The club in the north of England has accumulated disappointments on the field and financial troubles, which even earned him his first descent in the third division in 2007. Then the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa, his uncompromising methods and his passion for attacking and licked football, electrified the club, nicknamed at one time "Dirty Leeds" ("Dirty Leeds") for its aggressive game.
The owner, Italian Andrea Radrizzani, called on this story to galvanize the troops and finally manage to return to the elite. "All the boys want to fight for the jersey every week, and it's important to have that character when you play in Leeds. (...) I want to help Leeds get back to the level that our history and our supporters deserve, "he told the FIFA Professional Journal.
Read also
- Manchester City fall back to earth