Marcelo Bielsa: The team fought the whole game

Marcelo Bielsa: The team fought the whole game

Head coach on Crystal Palace victory.

Marcelo Bielsa has given his thoughts to the media after seeing his side score a dramatic late winner at home to Crystal Palace.

The Whites won a stoppage time penalty after a VAR decision following Liam Cooper’s header, and up stepped Raphinha to calmly slot home from the spot. 

Speaking after the match, the Leeds United head coach summarised the match from his view. 

“It was a victory that was very necessary,” he explained. 

“In the campaign so far we have picked up few points and in every game there is points at play that can help us improve our campaign. 

“The team fought the whole game, that is true, it’s necessary. Either way our team usually gives everything in every game. 

“But, in that aspect the team was very similar to their game against Leicester. Always a victory brings happiness and in a human group happiness is indispensable. 

“It was a relief, we could breathe again and it was very satisfying. The succession of games means we have another challenge once again.”

Bielsa was then asked about certain elements of the performance, such as the effort throughout from Tyler Roberts, the substitutions and what he was happiest about overall from the team.

“The intensity in which the team played,” the head coach explained when asked what he was most pleased with. 

“The constant search for the goal even if it was difficult to get it and the closeness and togetherness of all the team to defend together and then attack. 

“He [Tyler Roberts] was very important. He didn’t stop fighting ever and he kept our team alive and present. I didn’t imagine he could run as much as he did throughout the 90 minutes. 

“I don’t think it was the changes that changed the way the game was going. 

“Mateusz Klich had made a big, big, big effort, similar to Tyler’s, and Rodrigo was another option in the same position but a little bit more fresh.

“Junior Firpo as the game went on, he started to acquire confidence and security and he ended up defending well and contributing down his side.”

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