When we lost Gaetano Berardi through injury, we lost a key part of the first-team.
That part could soon be about to return to the starting XI, however, as we have now lost another key player in Pontus Jansson – although he is only expected to miss one game.
Berardi, on the other hand, has missed much of the season and was lucky to make his return against Bristol City, having seen his hamstring tear from the bone.
He and the club opted against surgery at the time, and the move saved his campaign, and he can now return to the side when we face Millwall at the end of the month.
The journey has not been smooth, though, but it has not diminished Berardi’s mood, as evident in his words to BBC Sport’s Adam Pope.
“I’ve had worse moments, but as an injury, yeah, it’s the worst one,” Berardi told Pope.
“But, as a moment I’ve had worse than this [somewhere else]. “It’s part of our job, it’s part of our season, because we’ve had many injuries, so we know how to go against this moment, and I hope to move on.
“When I was with my previous club I didn’t feel well, I had a few problems there, and in the moment I wanted to leave, it was a really bad moment.
“I don’t want to say that these injuries are so bad that I can’t live anyway with my wife and friends, so I have no complaints about my life or my job.
“It’s part of our job, it’s not easy, but it’s part of our job.”
Berardi was also asked if he felt he was ready to feature against Millwall and play a full ninety minutes, to which he said: “I hope so, I’m training hard, I’m trying my best to be fit.
“We still have ten, eleven days until the next game so I need to show the standard that I’m ready to play. I don’t know what they will do, but I still need to show that I am ready.”
When Pope shared a clip of the interview to Twitter, it’s clear that some of you absolutely loved it…
This guy ???? model professional, knows the position he’s in as a footballer and loves every minute of it
— James Gibson ???????? (@JamesGibbo11) March 21, 2019
his voice is very calming – almost zen-like – just shows it really is the quiet ones you have to watch out for! He played exceptionally well at the start of the season hopefully he can get us over the line in these next few games
— The Adelites ???????? (@realrogues) March 21, 2019
Lives and dies for Leeds…????
— chris (@chris73153029) March 21, 2019
The lion
— Mike (@yonyteboah) March 21, 2019
What a guy ????❤️
— Louisa Wade ???????? (@LouisaWade_) March 21, 2019
Absolute love for this guy. If ever any one person signifies what Leeds is and what fans want from the players it’s Bera
— Ash Ellis (@AshJEllis) March 21, 2019
Love him ???? would love him to play against Millwall haha ????
— Chelle ???????? (@ChelleLUFC) March 21, 2019
I want to see Berardi losing his mind with the fans/Salim when promotion is confirmed at a raging Elland Road.
— Chris Steele (@ChrisSteele) March 21, 2019
Warrior!????
— Ashley Weatherill ???????? (@AshWeatherill1) March 21, 2019