The much-maligned Leeds United centre-back put in a solid performance earlier this week.
Leeds United defender Giuseppe Bellusci continues to divide opinion among the club’s fans, although even his most ardent supporters would have watched his performance against Middlesbrough earlier this season in abject horror.
That 3-0 defeat – during which Bellusci made a mistake for one goal and put through his own net in comedic fashion for another – was the 26-year-old’s last for quite some time, as he spent the next five games on the bench.
However, with Sol Bamba suspended Bellusci was back in Leeds’ starting line-up against Cardiff City on Tuesday, and he deserves credit for a stellar performance that helped his side to a much-needed 1-0 victory.
Alex Mowatt scored the only goal of the game but a defence marshalled by Bellusci and Liam Cooper played their part at the opposite end.
| Ball Recoveries | Dispossessed | Tackles Won | Effective Clearances | Effective Headed Clearances | Duels Won | Aerials Won | Interceptions Won | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giuseppe Bellusci | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 90 |
Bellusci was not dispossessed all evening and he did everything that was asked of him, recovering the ball on four occasions, winning four fuels, regularly clearing the danger and looking comfortable on the ball – although his passing accuracy left a little to be desired.
Some Leeds fans will still feel Bellusci is not the answer, but there are others who feel that when his head is in the game he is the best defender they have got.
How often the second version shows up in the weeks ahead could determine just how many more clean sheets Leeds manage as they bid to climb up the table.
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