Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl believes there are weaknesses for his side to exploit on Saturday as Leeds United continue to adapt to Jesse March’s style of football. Marsch is set to take charge of just his fifth game as manager of Leeds when they host the Saints on Saturday.
Marsch has slowly but surely started to integrate his philosophy on the Whites with back-to-back wins before the international break proceeding consecutive defeats. After three-and-a-half-years under the man marking system of Marcelo Bielsa, Marsch has looked to introduce a more zonal style of pressing, as well as a move to a more narrow 4-2-2-2 formation.
That has brought about some weaknesses for Leeds, as was evident in the heavy home defeat to Aston Villa and the first half of the game against Wolves. But the Whites have also averaged the highest expected goals (xG) in the division since his arrival, showing that his style is already bearing fruit.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Hasenhuttl discussed some of the concepts of Marsch’s system, but claimed there are areas of weakness which he has spotted, that the Saints will look to take advantage of.
He said: "The first fruits are good. And it's on us to show the weakness they still have because they see that not everything is perfect what they're doing. Maybe the game against the ball, you can see now all over counter pressing, five-second rules after losing the ball is definitely there. The behaviour of waiting for the right trigger to start the committed pressing is definitely visible."
