Leeds United will welcome Frank Lampard’s Derby County to Elland Road on Wednesday evening.
Liam Cooper has admitted that he is not ‘surprised at all’ at Gaetano Berardi’s recent performance as Leeds United head into the second leg of their play-off semi-final encounter against Derby County.
Over the weekend, Marcelo Bielsa’s side recorded a valuable 1-0 win against the Rams at Pride Park, with Berardi playing at the heart of the club’s defence with Pontus Jansson on the sidelines with an injury.
Despite the change, it didn’t stop Leeds from proving their worth from an attacking sense and remaining strong defensively and keeping what could prove to be a priceless clean sheet.
Ahead of the return leg at Elland Road on Wednesday night, centre-back Cooper shared his thoughts on playing alongside Berardi and his regular partner Jansson.
On Berardi’s performance: “No surprise at all,” said Cooper, as quoted by Leeds Live. “Heart on sleeve. Like everyone, he works so hard. Become second nature. A pleasure to play with, as is Pontus. A good partnership with both.”
Prior to these play-off games, Leeds were in a bad run of form and it looked like their season could capitulate at the worst time given what was coming ahead of them.
But after losing to 10-man Ipswich, who finished bottom of the Championship this season, on the last day of the regular season, Bielsa’s side bounced back in emphatic fashion.
They proved their worth against Frank Lampard’s side and they are now one game away from reaching Wembley. If they avoid defeat on Wednesday then they will book their place in the play-off finals.
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