Everything changed for Leeds United and Daniel Farke during half-time of the game against Manchester City on November 29th.
The promoted side, who had started from the relegation zone that weekend, suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat at the Etihad, and their first season back in the Premier League seemed to be heading in only one direction.
However, after the restart, coach Falke changed the formation to 3-5-2, and the game improved. Leeds may have fallen just short on the day – losing 3-2 – but it was a turning point in their season.
The changes that followed were amazing.
Leeds’ flying wing-backs Gabriel Gudamundsson and Jaden Bogle, who sit six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s return game against City at Elland Road, spoke to Michael Dawson live on Sky Sports to discuss what was behind the comeback.
“We have changed the system,” Gudamundsson told Sky Sports. “We have a lot of confidence in that, especially in the games we played directly against Chelsea and Liverpool.
“This is a really good group of us. No matter what happens, we’ll always be together.”
Since then, Leeds started with three central defenders and have become one of the hardest teams to beat in the Premier League, losing just twice. They are unbeaten both home and away against Chelsea and Liverpool.
During this 14-game period, Leeds sit eighth in the Premier League table with 20 points from a possible 42 points. City will face a completely different team to the one they faced at the Etihad three months ago.
Premier League table based on results after Leeds’ loss to Man City on 29th November
Farke’s decision to add extra bodies to the defense and push his two full-backs further up the pitch addressed Leeds’ deficiencies in wide forward areas and gave two of his best players a platform by giving them license to be more involved in the attacking third.
“It’s a joy to play,” Bogle says of being a wing-back. “The main role is first of all defensive, but we also have the freedom to move forward on both sides. Sometimes we’re both in the six-yard box and we’re competing for the ball. That aspect is great.”
Bogle ran in behind the defense and scored in a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest earlier this month. It was the type of run a striker would make, but the full-back showed the poise of a finisher past Stefan Ortega.
“Coach makes us make runs like that and try to catch teams off guard because we don’t really expect it (and gives us the freedom to get into creative territory),” Bogle says of his goals. “When I have a ball that I want to entertain, I want to create.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Bogle’s smart finish against Nottingham Forest
Farke had never started with a back three as Leeds manager until the defeat against City, but the transition was smooth. A few days later, his team won 3-1 against Chelsea at Elland Road and twice drew away from Liverpool at home, 3-3.
“When I was in Holland, I played as a wing-back,” Gudmundsson explains. “We’re pretty used to it. Me and Jayden, his profile is very well suited moving forward.” We run a lot. ”
While there are similarities between the two, Leeds’ change in formation has affected their respective roles in different ways. While Gutmundsson’s defensive abilities improved, Bogle became more reliable as an attacking threat.
Bogle created twice as many chances per 90 games (from 0.32 to 0.74), took touches in the opposition box from 1.65 to 2.96 and, surprisingly, won the ball in the attacking third five times as often (from 0.16 to 0.83) per 90 games.
When compared to other full-backs in the league over the course of the season, Bogle ranks in the top five for touches in the opposition box and possession won in the final third.
In Gudmundsson’s case, his duels won, tackles, and possessions gained per 90 have all increased since the formation change. The hard work of the summer signings will put Bogle in positions to cause damage to opposing teams.
Guðmundsson is also in the top 10 in the division among full-backs in tackles won, and in the top 5 in duels won and fouls won.
Between them, they became two of the most productive full-backs in the Premier League.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leeds United
You would be hard-pressed to find two players in Leeds’ squad who have been more important to their transformation. They are almost unrecognizable from a team that lost eight of their first 13 league games.
“We went through some tough times, but I think it ultimately brought us together a little more,” Bogle says. “It made us realize the position we were in. We needed to change some things and come out stronger.”
Leeds did it. Emphasize it.
Now they face title-chasing City again with a real sense that they can hurt them. If Josep Guardiola’s side can open up a five-point lead over leaders Arsenal, it will be a major blow in the title race.
“There’s more pressure on them,” Gudmundsson said of Saturday’s game. “The fans always give us that one or two percent extra boost that we really need in this game.”
The fact that the match will be played under lights at Elland Road only strengthens their advantage.
Leeds have not lost in their last 25 home league or play-off games kicked off after 5pm (W20 D5) since losing 6-1 to Liverpool in April 2023.
“It’s hard to describe, really,” Bogle says of the atmosphere at Elland Road. “It helps a lot during a match, especially when things aren’t going your way. Feeling the support of the fans behind you brings you back into the game.”
“That’s why we’re rarely out of the game. The support is special.”
The last time Leeds faced City, they were in the bottom three and lost 3-2 to the Etihad, leaving them with a blueprint for survival. Now City must face the consequences.
Watch Leeds United v Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 5pm and 5.30pm kick-offs on Saturday.
