OPINION
Incredibly, Marcelo Bielsa hasn’t had a full squad to call on all season, but that luxury could be getting closer.
Both Stuart Dallas and Gaetano Berardi made their comebacks in the Under-23s this evening against Notts County after being sidelined with long-term injuries, and got through their comebacks unscathed.
Both players were withdrawn after just 30 minutes, but not before Berardi had assisted the first goal for Izzy Brown.
There’s no hint that either were injured and it seems like this was the plan all along – to give them 30 minutes tonight and possibly a full game in the next Under-23s, before making the players available for the first-team.
The next Championship game takes place next Saturday with Leeds on an FA break and fans are hoping to see both players back in first-team action then.
Plenty of Leeds fans flocked onto Twitter tonight to praise Berardi after his 30minute display.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
Berardi and Dallas ready for Bolton Corberan taking em both off after 30 mins #lufc
— Armo??? (@Jordan_Armo) February 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/BGF_lufc/status/1096493114276098048
Berardi walking into the first team pic.twitter.com/hbXVP3sEMZ
— Nick (@Nicko1987) February 15, 2019
Berardi floats in a lovely opportunistic ball over the top & the keeper basically body-checks Brown, who slots it home. Nice assist from Gaetano, who was about to be subbed for Halme as a precautionary measure. Dallas off for Edmondson. Expect goals. #lufc
— ????? (@tommy_lufc) February 15, 2019
Forgot how clean a passer Berardi is. Left foot or right, great poise on either. #lufc
— Jibber Jabber (@EthanFromOnline) February 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/allloveleeds75/status/1096493634730512384
U23’s doing what #LUFC do best, making hard work of it. Some really good stuff played in the first half & should be out of sight. 1-0 @izzyjaybrown penalty.
Berardi did 30 mins & looked good. Brown having a good game. Dallas looking fit. Youth playing Bielsaball beautifully ?
— KaiserChief82 (@KaiserChief82) February 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/QuinnB112/status/1096496743519342594
Good first half from Leeds. Should be way more than 1 ahead. Good 30mins for Dallas and Berardi. #lufc #MOT #lufcU23s
— Mighty Whites Pod – #LUFC podcast. (@mightywhitespod) February 15, 2019