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Bielsa Ball

For this formation, the players are: four defenders (width of play kept pitch wide by fluid wing-backs), three midfielders (one defensive midfielder with two central players), two attacking midfielders (two wingers) and one centre-forward. The 4-3-2-1 allows quick transitions from defending to attacking, as many of the players used in the formation can perform both defensive and attacking tasks. Moreover, it establishes superiority in numbers in every part of the field, since with this formation Bielsa's teams can defend with seven players, attack with six or seven players, or protect a scoreline by overwhelming the midfield with six players. To use 4-3-2-1 , all players quickly set to attacking positions when the ball is in the team's possession, and all players aggressively press and recover the ball when it is not in possession, so it requires great teamwork and understanding between teammates.

Fluid, attacking, high-press football, which reflects nicely what Leeds United have been doing in the last two seasons of the EFL Championship.

Please feedback, as tweaking is ongoing and I appreciate your input.

#MOT