Jesse Marsch’s tenure at Leeds United began the same as how Marcelo Bielsa’s ended as the Whites were beaten 1-0 by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The defeat was a tough one to take, with Leeds looking strong, for the first time in quite a while, both defensively and offensively as the result saw the Yorkshire giants remain in a perilous position in the Premier League.
Just two points separate Leeds from the relegation zone, and with Burnley and Everton having games in hand, Marsch’s job at Elland Road will put the American under pressure he is yet to experience as a manager,
Yet whilst the loss was a tough one to take for Leeds, one stat from the fixture showed that the former RB Leipzig coach is already taking the Whites in the right direction, and one that could see them survive in the Premier League.
Season-defining stat vs. Leicester shows Leeds can stay up
Leeds will feel like they could have come away from Leicester with something, and the xG from the match not only shows that Marsch was unlucky to not get a draw, but a win altogether.
As per Understat, Leeds played Leicester off the part and registered an xG of 2.14, one of their highest of the season and a figure that is hard to comprehend over how the Yorkshire side failed to score a goal against Leicester.
To make matters worse, the Foxes’ xG on the day was a pitiful 0.36, one of the lowest of the season from a winning side as Harvey Barnes’ sole chance was enough to secure the win for Leicester over Leeds.
Indeed, the overall result will be what Leeds fans remember from their loss against Leicester, yet their incredible xG both for and against is a strong indicator that Marsch is taking the club in the right direction, and that progress is already being made under the American.
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