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Joe Donnohue

Leeds United striker Rodrigo reveals changes Jesse Marsch has implemented behind-the-scenes

Rodrigo Moreno is the second-oldest member of the Leeds United squad, and since the arrival of new head coach Jesse Marsch, has taken on greater responsibility at Elland Road. The Spanish international has been named as one of Marsch's seven dressing room leaders, alongside the likes of Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling. At 31 years of age, with vast experience on the continent, the attacker has worked under several prominent coaches throughout his distinguished career.

Under previous manager Marcelo Bielsa, Rodrigo enjoyed patches of form where he demonstrated his top level ability but struggled for consistency on the pitch. Now, under the tutelage of Marsch, Rodrigo has scored in back-to-back matches as Leeds look to make it three wins in-a-row this weekend with the visit of Southampton.

The Spaniard has been speaking with the BBC, during an interview in which he details the changes - subtle or otherwise - implemented by Jesse Marsch at Thorp Arch, as well as on matchday: "It's true that we changed everything, because we had a completely different style of football with Marcelo."

GO HERE: Rate Jesse Marsch's opening month in charge of Leeds United

"We had this one-v-one marking that maybe was penalising us too much, especially in defensive moments because our position is always a function of the opponent. I think now that the methodology, the way of play change, and because everyone is occupying the zone, and share better the spaces in the field. So maybe [it] gives us more energy to defend and to attack as well.

"When Jesse arrived, he brings a new energy as well for everyone and him and his staff, a different way of understanding the football and the relationships between persons. I think he tried to understand everyone, he tried to share his opinion with us and in the opposite way as well. He always asked us what we think about the team, what we think about our personal performance or personal task inside the team," Rodrigo continued.

"These moments of chatting and sharing impressions [of the game] help us to make quicker this change," he finished. Given Rodrigo's increased off-pitch role under Marsch, it is little surprise to see the 31-year-old describe the new head coach in such a positive light. Further to his comments on Marsch, Rodrigo also stated he did not feel scared of the additional responsibility considering Leeds' position in the table.

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