Daniel Farke might finally be starting to crack Premier League football with Leeds.
The German has historically struggled at this level, finishing bottom with Norwich in the 2019/20 campaign before the Canaries sacked him after just 11 games of the 2021/22 season – while sitting bottom again.
However, a tactical switch to a 3-5-2 formation has now seen Daniel Farke cause headaches for both Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca. In doing so, the 49-year-old has achieved something even Marcelo Bielsa couldn’t at Leeds.
Marcelo Bielsa lived and died by his tactics at Leeds, something Daniel Farke seems to have learned from
The Argentine captured the hearts of thousands in Leeds with his intense style of football, although Premier League coaches began to figure him out a bit after he initially finished ninth in his first season in England’s top-flight, the 2020/21 campaign.
The 2021/22 campaign was much harder for Bielsa, but even still, he never strayed away from his beliefs despite a run of four defeats by an aggregate score of 17-2 eventually costing him his job in February 2022.
A story from the BBC at the time even described it as a “refusal to adapt” from the South American.
What a win! Who was your Man of the Match? 🔥
However – in stark contrast – Farke has seemed to realise that his Leeds side were far too easy to play against in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, losing eight of the first 13 Premier League games this term.
Since the second half against Manchester City, a 3-5-2 system has been implemented with exciting results. It saw Leeds quickly fight back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium, and despite ultimately losing 3-2, it was highly encouraging.
Then, on Wednesday night, the 3-5-2 was in place from the first whistle, and provided a platform for Leeds to be 2-0 up after just 43 minutes, eventually winning 3-1.
Farke now looks to have bought himself more time thanks to his bold tactical change – barring a complete collapse against Liverpool on Saturday – showing a willingness to adapt that even the legendary Bielsa, who could depart Uruguay soon, was against doing.
Tactical switch has given Jaka Bijol a lifeline at Leeds United
Not only could this formation change save Farke, but also Jaka Bijol.
Stunning Jaka Bijol stats in Leeds United win over Chelsea 👊
According to the stats, Jaka Bijol was the best player on the pitch:
- 90 minutes played, 8.3 FotMob rating (best on pitch)
- 11 defensive contributions, 44 touches
- 24/28 successful passes (86%)
- 2 tackles, 6 recoveries, 9 clearances
- Five duels won (joint-fifth on pitch)
The Slovenia international did not feature in the Premier League until the 2-1 win against West Ham, as Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk were preferred.
It raised some eyebrows at Leeds, considering the 26-year-old cost £15m in a move from Udinese over the summer.
However, the change to a three-man defence has created a space for Bijol, who needed just six minutes to open the scoring against Chelsea with a thumping header.
The Slovenian now seems to have settled in at Leeds, and with plenty of time on his side to improve at the age of just 26, the sky is the limit for him in Yorkshire.
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