Marcelo Bielsa uses Champions League as stern warning to Leeds

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa insisted the best team won at Pride Park on Saturday – but has warned his players their play-off battle with Derby is far from settled yet.

United claimed a 1-0 victory at Pride Park thanks Kemar Roofe’s 55th-minute strike to take charge of their play-off semi-final.

Assessing his side’s display, a satisfied Bielsa said: “We always play to win and I think it was a deserved win. I am really pleased with the performance.

“Apart from the first minutes of the first half and then 10 or 15 minutes in the second half, when we dominated the ball, we defended well when we had to defend well and we attacked well when we had to attack.

“I did not have a clear view of the penalty. We are very far away from the action and have many players in front of us, so I can’t give an opinion.”

Argentinian Bielsa pointed to events elsewhere this week as good reason not to take anything for granted.

“The Champions League games this week are a warning of what could happen,” he added. “A 1-0 lead is not enough to be comfortable going into the second leg.

“It (the win) is an advantage, but we still have 90 minutes to play.”

Bielsa had, earlier in the week, already stated what promotion via the play-offs would mean to the club, the city and their supporters.

 

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