Bielsa pinpoints Leeds United's 'added strength' and outlines hope ahead of Chelsea test - YEP 10/12/21
Marcelo Bielsa has declared that 'supposedly weak' Leeds United actually have an “added strength” heading to bitter rivals Chelsea.
By Lee Sobot
Bielsa has been dealt a fresh quadruple injury blow with
Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and captain Liam Cooper all nursing hamstring
injuries and record signing Rodrigo suffering from bilateral heel pain.
Robin Koch has also been ill having overcome his pelvic
injury and Leeds will now face three of the Premier League's top seven over the
next 16 days including all of the division's top three.
United are as big as 12-1 to win at today's title-chasing
hosts Chelsea but Bielsa has seen signs of difficult circumstances bringing out
a strong reaction from his Whites, particularly faced with consecutive tests
against some of the best teams in the world.
"I always think that adversity is a stimulant to create
or resolve situations," said United's head coach.
"I understand that there’s a certain pessimism because
the upcoming games are difficult.
"Instead of bringing back players, we are creating new
absentees.
"But when we play against big teams, I think that
there’s an added strength.
"It comes from when the supposed weak one has the
opportunity to win against a team which, before playing them, is better.
"Football has that thing which is so attractive.
"It allows for the hopes, for the fantasy that
contradicts the logical reason.
"So my position is one of optimism and fortitude. And
it’s not a position that’s just individual.
"It’s the conclusions that I make by evaluating the
mood of the team.
"I understand that in adversity, one of the responses
could be fatalism. But there’s another option.
"That is the optimism, the hope, and the fight. I never
say we are going to win.
"I always say that we are going to do our utmost to
deserve to win."
