When Marcelo Bielsa took over the reins at Leeds United, one thing that he insisted on was a small squad of players who were able to play in more than one position.
There were winces from some Leeds United fans, sharp intakes of breath as they took in the fact that they were running with something like a 20-man main squad across a tough 46-game season.
Then, well then injuries started to bite and they bit deep. Player after player fell down with some form of debilitating injury. It was almost like a cruel cycle, one player would make his comeback, only for another to take his place on the treatment table.
Now the curse could have struck again in Leeds United Under-23’s game against Southampton’s Under-23s in the Premier League Cup. It was a game that featured new keeper signing Kiko Casilla, as well as Gaetano Berardi taking his first steps back into football since an October injury.
He was being eased back into a position where he could take on a bigger role in Leeds United’s run-in to the end of the season. However, the former Sampdoria defender, and Elland Road favourite, didn’t make it to the half-time whistle.
Uh-oh… Berardi has just limped off before half-time and he’s been replaced by Shackleton. Not good. #lufc https://t.co/xEQeTCKYBi
— Joe Urquhart (@JoeUrquhartYEP) January 21, 2019
This prompted Joe Urquhart to ponder on Berardi’s leaving the action and what it represented.
Berardi looked to walk alright from the bench to the tunnel at half-time – didn’t look like a planned substitution and he was with Rob Price. Hard to know. Was supposed to get through 90 tonight by all accounts so maybe a little setback. #lufc https://t.co/xEQeTCKYBi
— Joe Urquhart (@JoeUrquhartYEP) January 21, 2019
Berardi’s reaction? Well, if accounts are to believed, it was pure Berardi.
Couple of people here saying he punched the dugout when he sat down – hopefully just a minor setback. Rotherham looks a no go now. #lufc
— Joe Urquhart (@JoeUrquhartYEP) January 21, 2019
News is definitely thin on the ground at the moment regarding the extent of Berardi’s discomfort. If there is any setback, then Leeds fans will be hoping that this run-out doesn’t come back to haunt them.
However, the club are hoping that it is just a strain for the popular defender, more new to come first thing in the morning.
