Defending during set-piece scenarios have let Leeds down multiple times so far in the current Premier League season and it has been an area in their game boss Marcelo Bielsa is giving special attention to.
Ex-Whites defender Matteo worked under Tony Pulis at Stoke City, and is of the view that Leeds could take a leaf from the Welshman’s book when it comes to getting better from dead-ball scenarios.
Matteo explained that the Potters worked extensively on set-pieces under Pulis, developing a physical aggressive mentality, which helped the whole squad get better.
The former defender added that Leeds should have a similar approach and attack the ball in both boxes, adding more physicality to their game, taking both their defending and attacking up a notch.
“I don’t know what Marcelo Bielsa’s philosophy is on set-pieces but I worked for Tony Pulis and we absolutely worked on set-pieces constantly, almost to the point where we didn’t do any football training!”, Matteo wrote in his Yorkshire Evening Post column.
“It was set-piece, set-piece, set-piece but it was effective and nobody wanted to be against us at them because we were physically stronger and we attacked everything.
“That’s what the Leeds players have got to get back to.
“We have got to start attacking everything, in both boxes as well.”
Leeds currently sit eleventh in the league table, and will be keen on potentially breaking into the top half during the reminder of the season, with their next top flight challenge coming in the shape of Chelsea at Elland Road at the weekend.
