Gaetano Berardi was sent off during the second-half of Leeds United’s Championship victory over Bristol City.
Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds that he loves Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi because of his style of play, and thus, he cannot criticise him too harshly for his dismissal in the Whites’ win over Bristol City on Saturday.
Thomas Christiansen’s men got themselves back to winning ways at Ashton Gate, as they ended a run of three straight defeats to beat the Robins 3-0 to end their unbeaten start to the season at home.
There was just one blemish on an almost flawless afternoon for Leeds, with Berardi being sent off for a clash with City striker Matty Taylor – who was also dismissed. The clash between the two would have surely left Christiansen feeling frustrated as it came 10 minutes from the end when the three points were in the bag.
But Whelan has stopped short of criticising the full-back, insisting that his fieriness is a crucial part of his game.
“I love him to bits because he has everything I love in his game, he’s strong, he’s physical, he competes for everything. He’s gives 100 percent every single game, whether he has a good game or not, he doesn’t shy away from anything,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“It’s just a reaction and it’s a human reaction unfortunately – we’re all guilty of it.”
As Whelan suggests, Berardi’s full-blooded style is a key reason why he is so popular amongst the Elland Road faithful, as even when things are not going well for the side on the pitch, the Swiss can be relied upon to give absolutely everything while he is playing.
But, of course, that passion can land him in trouble from time to time – it is certainly not the first red card of his Leeds career. And that may eventually prove slightly detrimental to how much Christiansen feels that he can rely upon him in future.
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