Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United were an anomaly in the Premier League when it came to their defensive style. Their man-to-man marking style meant that each player had to win their individual duels against a designated opponent and would be required to follow them wherever they went on the field.
This approach began to receive more criticism in the latter period of Bielsa's tenure at Elland Road as opposition managers began to devise tactical plans specifically designed to pull players out of position and then having other players run into the spaces provided. This was referenced by Jesse Marsch in his first press conference as Leeds manager as he promised to bring a zonal 'ball-oriented' pressing style instead.
Robin Koch was asked about how the team were finding the change when he was interviewed by BBC Radio Leeds ahead of Friday night's trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers. The German defender replied: "The biggest difference is not man-marking anymore.
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"In the past there was a lot of running. Man v man, reacting all the time to the opponent. Now we are more like a team and going through the ball. Sometimes we go with three men to the ball. That’s the biggest difference."
As with all defensive systems, there is a weakness though and in the case of Marsch's 'ball oriented' pressing, the weakness is that the team can leave areas of the pitch open as they pursue the ball in packs. Koch was asked whether he was worried that the team could leave themselves exposed.
"Of course," he replied. "That’s one thing when you go really aggressive to the ball. When you win the ball you have a lot of opportunities to play forward and if they play out from the pressing we can shift together as a team."
Leeds have yet to keep a clean sheet in their first three games under Marsch. They will hope to pick their first one up on Friday night when they travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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