Marcelo Bielsa: In every game we play for the three points

Marcelo Bielsa: In every game we play for the three points

Head coach on Southampton.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Southampton.

The Whites travel to St Mary’s having been victorious against the Saints in the last three meetings between the two sides and will be hoping to extend that run this weekend.

Bielsa stated his side will be going for the win but was under no illusions of how tough it will be to obtain.

“In every game, we play for three points which are indispensable for us,” said Bielsa.

“The reality of the opponent doesn’t condition our game.

“We have to analyse a lot of aspects about Southampton’s form, for example the opponents they have come up against, the evaluation of their draws, which are all things which put together how many points you have.

“They have solved some difficult games they have played, for example when they drew against Manchester City.

“The impact of us having won against Watford, we now need to verify this and we will measure it in the performance against Southampton.

“When you describe a game in the Premier League, there is always a level of difficulty that is present in all of them, the games are very difficult.

“What we are absolutely sure of, is that Southampton is going to be a very difficult opponent to overcome.”

Bielsa also revealed the latest team news with updates on Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha, Robin Koch, Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw and Crysencio Summerville.

He said: “Patrick won’t play, but Kalvin has chances of being able to do so,” said Bielsa.

“Patrick has a problem in his ankle and his recovery is subject to the evolution of the injury on a day-to-day basis.

“On Kalvin we will decide between today, tomorrow and Saturday if he can play.

“For Raphinha, there is no doubt there is a short turnaround and whether he can participate on Saturday, depends on whether he plays the final game for Brazil (on Friday), how many minutes he plays, how he finishes the game and how efficient the rest he can have in the following 36 hours is, considering for a third of this he will spend flying.

“If there is any risk that fatigue could cause injuries to Raphinha, then we won’t risk him, there are so many aspects to consider, that I can’t offer any certainties either way.

“Koch is in the United States where he will undergo a simple procedure to try and solve the problem in his pubis.

“Ayling is at the halfway stage of the process of his recovery and Forshaw is available again, as is Summerville."

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