This time last year, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United were scraping a 1-0 win against Reading, and while games like that seem a million miles away since United’s ascension to the Premier League, it may be worth looking back on that match for a bit of tactical inspiration.
Bielsa did something in that game that we’ve rarely seen before or since, he used Ezgjan Alioski as a central midfielder, and fans were very impressed by his showing that day.
The Macedonian came on in the 65th minute for Mateusz Klich, and it’s fair to say that he did a good job in the middle of the park, completing two key passes and three crosses in his 25 minute cameo.
The energetic wide player was also a menace in the middle, and it’s a tactic Bielsa may want to look into employing again.
The Argentine has had his problems in the centre of midfield this season, with Kalvin Phillips’ injury throwing a huge spanner into the works.
This has meant that inexperienced options such as Pascal Struijk and Jamie Shackleton have had to start games in the middle of the park.
However, looking back on Alioski’s performance against Reading, there is an argument to make that the left-footer should be given a chance there.
It’s rare to see Alioski playing in centre-midfield, in fact, according to Transfermarkt, he’s only started there once in his career.
However, that one start saw him grab a goal and an assist, so it seems as though when he does play there he is effective.
Hopefully, Leeds’ midfield injury issues are behind them, but if they do crop up again, Alioski may be the answer to Bielsa’s prayers.
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