Spotlight on Gaetano Berardi three months before Leeds United defender's contract expires

GAETANO BERARDI again answered Leeds United's call with another strong performance at centre-back - three months before his current deal expires.
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As was the case in last month's 1-0 win at Middlesbrough, Berardi was brought into the side due to Kalvin Phillips being sidelined with a knee problem

Holding midfielder Phillips picked up the knock in the 1-0 success at home to Reading but then returned to the side for last weekend's 4-0 romp at Hull City after missing the clash on the Riverside.

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Yet Phillips appeared uncomfortable at times at the KCOM and a late check was taken on his condition ahead of Saturday's hosting of Huddersfield Town.

IN THE THICK OF IT: Gaetano Berardi, left, grabs goalscorer Luke Ayling to celebrate Leeds United's opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town.IN THE THICK OF IT: Gaetano Berardi, left, grabs goalscorer Luke Ayling to celebrate Leeds United's opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town.
IN THE THICK OF IT: Gaetano Berardi, left, grabs goalscorer Luke Ayling to celebrate Leeds United's opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town.

With Phillips still experiencing issues, Marcelo Bielsa opted against risking the midfielder to avoid potentially making matters worse.

The injury is not serious and Phillips is fully expected to return for next weekend's clash at Cardiff City.

But as was the case through his display at the Riverside, Berardi once again showed that Leeds are still in safe hands when he steps into the centre of defence alongside skipper Liam Cooper with Ben White moving forwards and taking up Phillips' role as the holding midfielder.

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Berardi impressed on the figures with a fine passing success rate of 93 per cent, the best on the pitch out of those players who started.

Only late substitute Jamie Shackleton eclipsed that with 100 per cent but based only on three out of three successful passes.

Berardi had 75 touches of the ball for 7.2 per cent of the overall play - the fourth highest - and 55 of his 59 passes were accurate.

The defender also made four clearances and two interceptions as well as being successful with three out of his four attempted tackles.

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Berardi was not as good aerially in winning only two out of six attempted aerial battles but the defender's decision making was particularly impressive, especially in spending 52 minutes of the game plus five minutes of added time on a yellow card.

Berardi could have few complaints about his booking for a late challenge near the centre circle in the 38th minute which left the 31-year-old walking a tightrope with referee Oliver Langford not afraid to dish out the cards.

Berardi has previously been susceptible to a rush of blood to the head but the Swiss defender cut a composed character throughout the game and there were several occasions when Berardi opted out of attempting potentially risky challenges after his booking.

Those decisions might well have kept him on the pitch in helping Leeds to a fifth consecutive clean sheet and a fifth win in succession that took the Whites top and with a seven-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots.

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United have not conceded in over eight hours of football - 515 minutes excluding added time - and Berardi has played a pivotal part.

Berardi will turn 32 in August during the summer in which his current Whites deal expires but the defender is continually still showing his worth.

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