Beyond the general buzz around Leeds United’s latest win and a stunning, penultimate chapter in a miraculous Premier League story, there was one narrative to pull on the heartstrings.
Gaetano Berardi, at 32-years-old and virtually 10 months to the day since a major knee injury, made his long-awaited Premier League debut.
The Swiss defender is one of the most popular and longest-serving players in the dressing room and given what he sacrificed as an out-of-contract player last summer, everyone was rooting for him to have his reward this season.
Berardi has been among the substitutes as an unused option since early March, but his wait for a taste of the action finally ended at Southampton on Tuesday night.
Naturally, his team-mates were delighted for him as he emerged in his kit at half-time in place of Diego Llorente.
Playing on the right side of the back three, Berardi was very solid and never looked exposed by Southampton’s attackers. You would not have known he had been out of competitive action for 10 months.
On Instagram, Luke Ayling wrote: “To see the lion Gaetano Berardi back out there with us and making his Premier League debut is something we all love to see.”
Liam Cooper said: “You deserve this more than anyone, brother. Fought his way back from the worst injury imaginable. He is everything we are about.”
Tyler Roberts posted: “Happy for you, warrior.”
Pablo Hernandez said: “Bravo brate!! Deserved!! What a player, what a team-mate!!!”
Kalvin Phillips wrote: “Warrior, love to see it.”
Jamie Shackleton said: “Love it, Berra.”
