It’s been an interesting few days for Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. In a press conference, Bielsa defended his approach that includes scouting other Championship clubs training sessions by showing the media exactly what he does. The easy takeaway is that he does a lot, focusing on a level of preparation that he has no problem dismissing as excessive when it doesn’t work. What’s at question is the limits of information gathering and the fairness of scouting practice sessions.
The Mirror has Bielsa’s full comments. The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Joe Urquhart with the setting for Bielsa’s response. BBC Sport on Bielsa explaining his process.
Bielsa should be defending his approach in the face of the criticism he’s seen this week. That included his own club offering Derby County an apology after they took things public. “What for” is now the big picture question Bielsa’s presentation is asking. Whether or not he has a point past his work rate in scouting opponents is the question.
It’s tough to get around the basic idea that what a club does at its training facility is that club’s business. That holds across the board. Very few teams anywhere in the world are likely to welcome a staffer from their next opponent to watch them train. Whether or not it’s an unwritten rule, it’s pushing against the limits. That explains Leeds United’s apology. Still, Bielsa has a point and it will be interesting to see if it resonates past him simply defending how he prefers to do things.
Moving to the soccer scores, Matt Miazga was on the bench for Nantes in their 1-0 loss at Nimes. Nantes went a man down with a red card to Kalifa Coulibaly two minutes into first-half stoppage time. Nimes scored their winner in the 64th minute. In the Copa MX, William Yarbrough was in goal for Leon’s 3-2 win at Cruz Azul. Angel Mena put Leon up in the 7th minute with Cruz Azul equalizing in the 20th. Leon went up through an own-goal in the 29th, doubling the lead when Ruben Sambueza scored in the 53rd. Cruz Azul converted a penalty in the 74th minute.
Joe Corona’s Club Tijuana drew 1-1 at home with Atlanta. Erick Castillo scored for Tijuana in the 9th minute with Atlante equalizing in the 39th. Rubio Rubin opened the scoring for Dorados in their 3-1 win at Queretaro. Rubin’s goal came in the 25th minute with Dorados adding a goal in the 58th. Queretaro scored in the 78th with Dorados scoring again in the 89th minute. Rubin subbed out in the 87th minute.
News 4 San Antonio’s Jim Lefko on what Austin getting an MLS team means for that city. The Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas and Rob Wile with Inter Miami’s next step towards an MLS stadium. The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio talks to USMNT coach Tab Ramos about a variety of issues.
FourFourTwo’s Gary Parkinson on Financial Fair Play in the Football League. The Guardian’s Amy Lawrence explains the situation with Arsenal.
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