Enzo Maresca pinpoints biggest Leeds United threat as Leicester ‘need to be careful’
Enzo Maresca has pinpointed the biggest threat that Leeds United pose to Leicester City, admitting the Foxes will have to “be careful” given the Whites’ pace in transition.
Daniel Farke’s side take on the Championship leaders on Friday (3 November) at the King Power Stadium in the hope of shortening the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places, currently occupied by Maresca’s side and Ipswich Town.
While Leeds head into the clash as second favourites, arguably for the first time this season, the Leicester boss has admitted that his side will have to be at their best to contain the Whites, especially on the counter-attack given the talent at Farke’s disposal.
As quoted by Leeds Live (2 November) he said: “We know they are good in transition, in general, they are a very good team. They are very quick, we need to be careful. More than ever, we will need to do many passes before we attack.
“It’s a special night, for sure, for the fans, it’s a special night for us because it’s a game. But for me personally, I said before QPR, it’s about the three points. We’re going to try and get three points again tomorrow.”
Careful
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While this game could go either way, it is clear that Farke’s side are not viewed as an easy team to play against by any side this season, even the current Championship leaders who have only tasted defeat once so far this season, at the hands of Hull City.
The depth of attacking talent at the German’s disposal makes the Whites incredibly threatening, especially on the counter-attack as they can advance up the field in an instant, just as they demonstrated in their win over Norwich City as they came from behind late on.
Leeds United will have to be defensively resolute as Maresca’s side attempt to dominate the ball to reduce the chances of the Whites making a quick break against them and they have shown in many games this season that they can dig in to get a result if and when they have to.
Perhaps most importantly, the Whites must ensure that they play the opposition ahead of them on Friday, rather than the occasion, as Farke’s side have been guilty of crumbling in some of the more high-pressure moments in the early stages of the campaign.
The defeat to Southampton was the perfect example of a game where Leeds appeared to be playing with self-inflicted pressure and they cannot afford to do that against Leicester. After all, nothing is decided in November.
In other Leeds United news, German media have slammed Brenden Aaronson for his start to life with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga
