It was a protracted chase for the much-vaunted manager Marcelo Bielsa for Leeds to endure, yet they finally got their man.
Tonight patient Whites fans also get the chance of another first, to see the new manager’s side in action for the first time at League Two side Forest Green Rovers.
What excites Leeds United fans about Bielsa’s arrival at the club are the ideas and influence that comes along with such a ‘big-name’ signing – with fans desperate to see what the Argentinian can get out of Leeds United with his 3-3-1-3 formation.
Leeds United team news vs Forest Green
Leeds United v Forest Green: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Forshaw, Cooper, Berardi, Alioski, Dallas, Hernandez, Saiz, Phillips, Roofe. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2018
Only four subs for Leeds and 15 players in all. Subs: Miazek, Dalby, Diaz, Rey. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2018
Bielsa has opted to take a less-than-barebones side to Forest Green, just 15 players making the journey. That suggests that the Argentinian tactician is going to treat this with more serious consideration than other friendly games – he’s already had Forest Green’s friendlies filmed so far for analysis purposes.
With a ‘first-team’ starting XI and a four-man, Under-23 bench it is definitely a line-up that has Leeds United fans commenting. Here is some of what they are saying over on Twitter.
Does roberts actually exist or is he a ghost from injured players in the sky
— allan (lufc) presly (@allanpresly) July 17, 2018
Shows our total lack in depth !! Shocking squad
— Jon defty (@Jondefty) July 17, 2018
Shocking team we are sadly looking very weak
— John paul jones (@Johnleeds77) July 17, 2018
— Billy McGlennon (@chuckielufc) July 17, 2018
Uhoh, an hour of people putting random numbers together to make a formation
— Eamo Salah (@EamoV1) July 17, 2018
Trying to figure this out can see this being one mad mental season with el loco at the helm, looking forward to it #mot
— Tom Moss (@mossy743) July 17, 2018
When the final whistle blew to finish last season I’d have given 500/1 that wouldn’t of been the side for the first pre season game . God help us.
— Keith Taylor (@sergeantdudfoot) July 17, 2018
In pocos minutos as they say in Spain, El Loco will get his first taste of what it means to be a manager at Leeds United, and fans will get their first glimpse of a Bielsa side in action.