The Whites lost comfortably in their opening game of the new Championship season
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Garry Monk has confirmed to Leeds United’s official website that injury was the reason that Gaetano Berardi had to be replaced during the early stages of the Whites’ 3-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
After 22 minutes at Loftus Road – during which time the home side had scored inside the first four minutes and United subsequently showed little sign of getting back into the contest – the right-back was taken off for Lewie Coyle and appeared to react angrily as he headed into the tunnel.
Gaetano Berardi during a clash with Sheffield Wednesday last season
And having previously shown little sign of having received a knock, there may have been some who felt that the substitution was made by Monk in an attempt to change things up tactically, and the Swiss’ reaction was simply down to the frustration of being the one that was sacrificed.
However, Monk has insisted that Berardi had picked up a knock and had to be replaced.
“Berardi then had the injury and had to go off early on, which leaves you limited for things later in the game,” he told the club’s official website when assessing the defeat.
QPR ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Loftus Road
Even with Monk confirming the reason was not tactical, it is hardly surprising that the 27-year-old reacted in the manner he did. The defender missed much of pre-season due to a leg problem, and spent much of the last campaign on the sidelines due to two ankle ligament injuries (via Yorkshire Evening Post).
With those issues seemingly in the past, he would undoubtedly have gone into the game hoping that he could enjoy a solid run in the team.
And Monk will be hoping that taking Berardi off when he did proves to have been beneficial in his recovery from this latest setback as he certainly needs as much depth at full-back as possible, especially with questions regarding Charlie Taylor’s future continuing to linger (via Yorkshire Evening Post).
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