‘Bit shocked’: Dominic Matteo reacts to Bielsa decision in Leeds draw

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Dominic Matteo has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he was a bit shocked by Leeds United on Sunday, particularly when Marcelo Bielsa decided to bring Robin Koch on during the Whites’ draw at Elland Road.

Leeds emerged from their daunting-looking run of games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United unbeaten. They also secured five points out of a possible nine.

Arguably, their least impressive display came in the final fixture of the three. The likes of Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk and Kalvin Phillips proving to be the stars of the show perhaps tells the story of how the game went.

Neither side was able to create many clear-cut chances. So it was little surprise that both bosses used all three of their substitutions to try and change things.

Bielsa did initially try to give Leeds something different going forward. He brought on Ian Poveda and Mateusz Klich for Jack Harrison and Helder Costa respectively.

However, for his final change, Bielsa seemed to change his stance. It was Koch who came on with 13 minutes remaining, with number 10 Tyler Roberts being replaced.

And Matteo admitted that he was somewhat taken aback by the decision.

“The way the game went, it felt like for the first time Bielsa was happy with a draw, with the Robin Koch substitution and the way Leeds played,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “I was a bit shocked because Leeds usually just keep going for it, but we’ve maybe seen a little bit lately that we recognise we can’t win every single game.”

TBR View: Bielsa decision a surprising one

It is not a surprise that few saw the change coming. Bielsa has tended to avoid making those kind of substitutions – even when Leeds have been down to 10 men.

Whites supporters may remember the trip to Nottingham Forest in his first season in charge. They lost Phillips early, but the only players Bielsa brought on were Jack Clarke and Roberts – even when Leeds went 2-1 ahead in the second-half.

And of course, in the play-off semi-final, Pontus Jansson was left on the bench despite Gaetano Berardi being dismissed.

If Bielsa is not inclined to make a defensive change in those situations, you could understand why few anticipated Koch replacing Roberts on Sunday.

But as Matteo notes, being willing to make that change is arguably a positive sign as Leeds look to keep progressing.