Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Pascal Struijk’s display in Leeds United win

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Marcelo Bielsa has labelled Pascal Struijk very influential after the defender’s performance in Leeds United’s win over Burnley on Sunday – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Struijk was a surprise inclusion in the Whites squad to face the Clarets at Elland Road. But with Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente sidelined, Bielsa handed the 21-year-old a chance.

It proved to be a tough afternoon for Leeds’s makeshift defence. Bielsa opted for a back three, with Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips also starting.

The home side came under plenty of pressure following Patrick Bamford’s decisive goal in the early stages of the contest. But Struijk seemed to pass every test.

He was never bullied in the air. And he won a number of challenges, and made plenty of clearances and interceptions.

And following the game, Bielsa suggested that he was happy with Struijk’s performance.

“Yes, he was very influential and he contributed a lot to our defensive stability in the middle,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.

TBR View: Shades of Barnsley for Struijk

Leeds fans would have been forgiven for feeling that Sunday’s win felt eerily similar to their victory over Barnsley towards the end of last season.

On that occasion, Leeds took a first-half lead. But they came under incredible pressure and were ultimately relieved to hear the full-time whistle.

However, it was a game that saw Bielsa produce a masterstroke by replacing Jack Harrison with Struijk with half an hour remaining. And remarkably, the Dutchman was asked to play as a holding midfielder.

But Struijk was outstanding on that occasion.

And in a game that boasted a similar narrative on Sunday, Struijk once again produced a sensational display.