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Oliver King

Key stat shows Leeds United are buying into Jesse Marsch's methods

Following on from their opening day victory against Wolves, Jesse Marsch seems to have got his Leeds United players ticking as he started his first full season at the Elland Road helm with a victory.

Goals from Rodrigo and an own goal courtesy of Rayan Ait-Nouri got Leeds' Premier League season off to the perfect start, but the victory was not the most impressive factor of their performance, but the application of Marsch's tactics as they look to put last season in the rear-view mirror.

During his time at RB Salzburg, the 48-year-old American was keen to press opponents from the front, and that has transpired during his tenure in West Yorkshire, and that was evident during Saturday's victory.

READ MORE: Leeds United headlines with Tyler Roberts praised on QPR debut and Jesse Marsch criticism

Following the game, statistics revealed that four Leeds players featured in the 'Most Pressures applied' table, advocating Marsch's desire to win the ball shortly after losing possession, something that was emulated during Marcelo Beilsa's time at the club.

New signing Brenden Aaaronson topped the chart with 31 presses, whilst Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison featured with 22 and 21 presses respectivley.

Those statistics emphasise Marsch's desire to press from the front, with three of his front four producing 64 presses between them, and that was evident during Leeds' opener, with Harrison and Aaaronson applying the pressure on Ait-Nouri inside the box, which eventually lead to Rodrigo smashing the ball beyond Jose Sa at his near post.

The fourth player to feature on the list, was summer acquisition Tyler Adams. The American who joined Leeds from RB Leipzig during the summer window, produced 24 pressures from central midfield, not allowing the likes of Ruben Neves and Morgan Gibbs-White to dictate play and allow Leeds to play on the front foot.

Whilst Marsch's tactical impact was minimal on the side last year, he managed to keep Leeds in the Premier League and avoid relegation. Whilst it is only one game in, it is a positive sign that his players are buying into his tactics that can potentially bring success back to Elland Road this campaign.

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