Leeds United appointed Gianni Vio as their set-piece coach in November, and the Championship side have enjoyed a better run of form lately.
Pontus Jansson
On a difficult afternoon for Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, it was a moment of brilliance from a free-kick from Pawel Cibicki and a great header from Pontus Jansson that decided the clash with Norwich.
While Cibicki and Jansson ultimately deserve the praise for the deciding goal just before the break, it was arguably another reminder of the fact that Leeds are now looking a lot more threatening from set-pieces – and that would seemingly be down to the appointment of specialist coach Gianni Vio back in November.
It is difficult to know exactly how much of an impact Vio has had on Leeds’ ability to score from set-pieces and keep the goals out when they are defending them, but it is undoubtedly fair to suggest that the Whites look a lot more assured at both ends of the pitch.
Vio, of course, cannot take the credit for the quality of the deliveries that have allowed Cibicki and Pablo Hernandez – during the draw with Aston Villa – to bag an assist from a dead-ball situation, or the way that Jansson has managed to head the ball home when the two attacking midfielders have put the ball in the perfect position.
But following the defeat to Brentford at the start of November – which came just a couple of days after Vio’s appointment was made – Leeds have not conceded a single goal from a set-piece, and no team in the Championship has scored more often from those situations.
With Leeds now back into play-off contention after their excellent run of recent form, it is surely the fine margins that will decide whether they will be able to compete with the top six, and if Vio really is giving Leeds an edge from set-pieces, there is surely an argument that he could end up proving to be one of the club’s best additions of the season.
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