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Gaetano Berardi

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Gaetano Berardi
Berardi playing forLeeds Unitedin 2015
Personal information
Full name Gaetano Berardi[1]
Date of birth (1988-08-21)21 August 1988(age 35)
Place of birth Sorengo,Switzerland
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
0000–2005 Lugano
2005–2007 Brescia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2012 Brescia 112 (0)
2012–2014 Sampdoria 35 (0)
2014–2021 Leeds United 157 (2)
2022 Sion 9 (0)
2022–2023 Bellinzona 30 (0)
Total 343 (2)
International career
2007–2008 Switzerland U20 3 (0)
2008–2011 Switzerland U21 20 (0)
2011 Switzerland 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gaetano Michel Berardi(born 21 August 1988) is a Swiss former professionalfootballerwho played as adefender.He operated both atleft-backandcentre-back.He has been capped at international level bySwitzerland.

Club career[edit]

Brescia[edit]

Born inSorengo,[2]Berardi started his career at Swiss clubLugano's youth team. In the summer of 2005, he was signed bySerie BsideBrescia.Berardi made his professional debut on 30 June 2007, in a winning away game againstPescara(1–3).

In his first season, Berardi made ten appearances in all competitions under the management ofSerse Cosmi.In the2008–09 season,Berardi was used in 26Serie Bgames. Before finally becoming a first team regular inGiuseppe Iachiniteam during the2009–10 season,Brescia earned promotion toSerie Aafter beating Torino in the Serie B play-offs.

Berardi made his Serie A debut on 12 September 2010 in a 3–2 victory againstPalermo.He made 26 starts in total for Brescia in Serie A, although Brescia were relegated at the end ofthe seasonafter finishing in 19th position.

Sampdoria[edit]

Upon the opening of the January transfer window, Berardi signed for fellow Serie B sideSampdoria.[3][4]Berardi made his debut in a 2–1 victory againstPadovaon 14 January. At the end of the2011–12 season,Berardi gained his second promotion to Serie A after winning the Serie B play-offs by beatingVarese4–2 on aggregate in the two-legged play-off final.

The following club seasonin Serie A, despite stiff competition from Italian internationalLorenzo De Silvestri,Berardi made 21 appearances in Serie A during the2012–13 season.However, after the club appointedSiniša Mihajlovićas head coach in November 2013, Berardi lost his place in the starting lineup and only made five Serie A appearances during the subsequent2013–14 season.

Leeds United[edit]

On 19 July 2014,Leeds Unitedannounced that they had signed Berardi to a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[5][6]Club presidentMassimo Cellinoconfirmed that Berardi had taken a wage cut to join Leeds.[7]Berardi made his Leeds debut on 12 August 2014, starting theLeague Cupmatch againstAccrington Stanley,but was sent off for a "mid-air sliding tackle" and received a three-match ban as a result.[8][9]With regular right backSam Byramsuspended,[10]Berardi was set to start againstBradford Cityon 27 August, but was ruled out after picking up a concussion the day before the game.[11]His full league debut was in a 1–1 draw away atBirmingham Cityon 13 September 2014.[12]On 20 September, Berardi received his second red card in just his fourth game, after being sent off in a 3–0 win over local rivalsHuddersfield Town.[13]With regular left backCharlie Taylorpushed forward into an attacking left wing position, during 2015 Berardi became a regular fixture in theleft-backposition for Leeds.[14]Berardi finished the season in strong form at left back, starting 10 of the last 11 games and becoming a fans' favourite for his performances.[15]

On 21 September 2015, after becoming a highly popular player with the fans for his consistent displays at both right back or left back positions, Berardi signed a two-year contract extension with the club lasting until 2018.[16]On 21 November, Berardi received another straight red card for Leeds in the 73rd-minute of a 1–0 home defeat toRotherham United;after being left with a bloodied nose following an elbow to the face fromLeon Best,Berardi pushed Best to the ground before being restrained by his teammates, with both players receiving a straight red card as a result.[17]The ban was later reduced after appeal due to the severity of the elbow Berardi received from Best, provoking the reaction.[18]After returning from suspension, Berardi suffered a torn ankle ligament on 14 December againstCharlton Athleticwhich ruled him out for two months.[19]After returning from injury, in April 2016, in the return fixture against Rotherham, Berardi – in similar circumstances to the reverse fixture – suffered a bloodied face/head injury after being elbowed by Rotherham strikerMatt Derbyshire,which resulted in Derbyshire's being given a straight red, albeit in a 2–1 defeat for Leeds.[20][21]Berardi was nominated for the Leeds United Player of the Year award, alongside Charlie Taylor,Liam Bridcutt,Mirco AntenucciandLewis Cook,though it was awarded to Taylor,[22][23]whilst he also finished second in the voting for theYorkshire Evening PostPlayer of the Year award, runner-up to eventual winner Taylor.[23]

Berardi missed the entirety of Leeds'2016–17 pre-season friendliesdue to injury, although he did return to the substitutes' bench for the final pre-season friendly against Italian sideAtalanta.[24][25]On 7 August, in the opening fixture of the season againstQueens Park Rangersin a 3–0 defeat, Berardi was substituted early in the first half after picking up a hamstring injury.[26]As a result of the hamstring injury, Berardi was ruled out for around six weeks. On 26 October 2016, he made his return when he started in Leeds' penalty shootout victory againstNorwich Cityin the League Cup, after a dramatic 2–2 draw in normal time.[27]However upon his return from injury, Berardi was kept out the side due to the impressive form of new right backLuke Ayling.After an Achilles injury to regular left back Charlie Taylor, on 29 December 2016 againstAston Villa,Berardi came into the side as a left back for a run of games.[28]Berardi's form at left back managed to keep out the returning Taylor for the remainder of the season.[29]

On 6 August 2017, Berardi suffered a dislocated shoulder in the 3–2 victory againstBolton Wanderersin the first game of the season, and had to be replaced by debutantVurnon Anitain the first half.[30]On 8 August, he signed a new three-year contract at the club, keeping him at Leeds until the end of the 2019–20 season.[31]On 30 December 2017, Berardi was named as captain and made his 100th appearance for Leeds in the 1–0 defeat againstBirmingham City.[32][33]On 7 January 2018, Berardi again captaining Leeds scored his first goal for the club and his first ever professional career goal with a "low, swerving shot" from 25 yards in a 2–1 defeat againstNewport Countyin theFA Cup.[34]On 7 April 2018, Berardi who was captaining the side, was sent off for a two footed lunge onSunderland'sCallum McManaman,with the sending off being his third red card of the 2017–18 season, Berardi was given a five match ban, missing the final five games of the season.[35]After missing 10 games combined through suspension for the 2017–18 season, Berardi apologised for his poor discipline in an interview with LUTV, stating that "it's not good enough for a senior professional player", adding that he will "stop making mistakes when I die".[36][37]

Ahead of the 2018–19 season under new head coachMarcelo Bielsa,Berardi was training in a new position as acentre back,and used during pre-season in his new position.[38]He started the season as first choice centre back alongsideLiam Cooper,keepingPontus Janssonon the bench, however Berardi was ruled out for a number of weeks[39]after picking up a knee injury againstMiddlesbroughon 31 August.[40]After returning from injury after six weeks out injured, Berardi in only his second game back, picked up a separate serious injury on 24 October 2018 in a 2–0 win againstIpswich Townafter suffering ahyperextentioninjury to thehamstring,which would rule him out for several months.[41]Rob Price, Leeds' Head of Medicine, revealed the seriousness of the injury by revealing Berardi "tore his hamstring completely off the bone".[42]During the2018–19 season,Berardi played 13 matches across the regular season after an injury hit campaign,[43]with Leeds finishing the regular season in third place despite spending the majority of the season in the automatic promotion places, and therefore qualifying for thepromotion play-offs.[44][45]Berardi started the Championship semi-final first leg as Leeds went 1–0 up away toDerby County,but was sent off in the 78th-minute of the second leg for a foul onBradley Johnsonas Leeds lost 4–2 (4–3 on aggregate).[46]The red card was the seventh of Berardi's Leeds career, equallingAlan Smithas the most red-carded player in the club's history.[47]

Berardi scored only the second goal of his career on 13 August in theEFL Cuptie againstSalford Cityto help earn a 3–0 victory.[48]He received his eighth red card for the club againstMillwallon 5 October, at the time making him the most red-carded player in Leeds United history.[49]However, the controversial red card was overturned on appeal on 8 October.[50]After the English professional football season was paused in March 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the season was resumed during June, where Berardi earned promotion with Leeds to thePremier LeagueasEFL Championshipchampions for the2019–20 season.[51][52]However, Berardi injured hisanterior cruciate ligamentin the penultimate game of the season as Leeds defeatedDerby County3–1 on 17 July 2020; the injury was set to rule Berardi out for nine months.[53]

Having signed a short extension to remain with Leeds duringProject Restart,Berardi's contract ran out at the end of the 2019–20 season.[54]However, he was allowed to remain at the club'sThorp Archtraining ground while completing his rehabilitation from the ACL injury, and on 16 October 2020 signed a new one-year contract for Leeds' first season back in thePremier League.[54]He made his Premier league debut on 19 May 2021, coming on forDiego Llorentein a 2–0 win for Leeds away toSouthampton.[55]On 21 May 2021, it was announced that Leeds would release Berardi at the end of the season.[56]

On 23 May 2021, after a 3–1 home win againstWest Bromwich Albion,Berardi alongside teammatePablo Hernandezofficially departed Leeds United, bidding an emotional farewell to their fans after making their final appearances for the club.[57]

Sion[edit]

On 30 January 2022, Berardi joinedSionuntil the end of the 2021–22 season.[58]

Berardi announced his retirement from football on 31 May 2023.[59]

International career[edit]

Berardi playing forSwitzerland U21in 2011

After playing for theSwitzerland national under-20 team,Berardi debuted for theSwitzerland U21sagainstGreeceon 19 November 2008.

Berardi played his first match forSwitzerlandat senior level againstLiechtensteinon 10 August 2011.[2]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 23 April 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brescia 2006–07[60] Serie B 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2007–08[60] Serie B 9 0 0 0 0 0 — 9 0
2008–09[60] Serie B 25 0 1 0 0 0 — 26 0
2009–10[60] Serie B 28 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 29 0
2010–11[61] Serie A 27 0 2 0 0 0 — 29 0
2011–12[61] Serie B 13 0 1 0 0 0 — 14 0
Total 103 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 108 0
Sampdoria 2011–12[61] Serie B 9 0 0 0 0 0 — 9 0
2012–13[61] Serie A 21 0 0 0 0 0 — 21 0
2013–14[61] Serie A 5 0 0 0 0 0 — 5 0
Total 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 0
Leeds United 2014–15[62] Championship 22 0 1 0 1 0 — 24 0
2015–16[63] Championship 28 0 0 0 1 0 — 29 0
2016–17[64] Championship 26 0 1 0 2 0 — 29 0
2017–18[65] Championship 31 0 1 1 1 0 — 33 1
2018–19[43] Championship 13 0 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 15 0
2019–20[66] Championship 22 0 1 0 2 1 — 25 1
2020–21[67] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Total 144 0 4 1 7 1 2 0 157 2
FC Sion 2021–22[61] Swiss Super League 8 0 0 0 — — 8 0
Career total 292 0 8 1 7 1 3 0 310 2
  1. ^Appearance(s) inSerie B promotion play-offs
  2. ^Appearance(s) inChampionship play-offs

International[edit]

Appearances and goals by national team and year[2]
National team Year Apps Goals
Switzerland 2011 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours[edit]

Brescia

Sampdoria

Leeds United

References[edit]

  1. ^"2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed".Premier League. 20 October 2020.Retrieved24 October2020.
  2. ^abcd"Gaetano Berardi".National Football Teams.Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann.Retrieved22 May2021.
  3. ^Passerini, Carlos (23 December 2011)."Affare fatto Berardi e Antonio alla Samp subito per 7 milioni".Corriere della Sera(in Italian).Retrieved22 May2021.
  4. ^"E' ufficiale: Berardi e Juan Antonio alla Samp".Giornale di Brescia(in Italian). 3 January 2012.Retrieved22 May2021.
  5. ^"United finalise Berardi signing".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 19 July 2014.Retrieved19 July2014.
  6. ^"Gaetano Berardi: Leeds sign Swiss defender from Sampdoria".BBC Sport.19 July 2014.Retrieved22 May2021.
  7. ^"Former Sampdoria full-back pens Leeds United deal".Yorkshire Evening Post.19 July 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 21 July 2014.Retrieved19 July2014.
  8. ^Marioni, Massimo (13 August 2014)."Leeds new boy sent off for ridiculous mid-air sliding tackle!".Metro.Retrieved22 May2021.
  9. ^"Berardi to miss Boro visit".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 15 August 2014.Retrieved15 August2014.
  10. ^"Two off in Watford defeat".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 23 August 2014.Retrieved23 August2014.
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  15. ^"Berardi sets sights on strong 2015/16".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 9 June 2015.Retrieved9 June2015.
  16. ^"Gaetano Berardi: Leeds United full-back signs new contract".BBC Sport. 21 September 2015.Retrieved21 September2015.
  17. ^"Leeds United 0 Rotherham United 1; Millers' victory is present for one Leeds fan".The Yorkshire Post.23 November 2015.Retrieved22 May2021.
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  20. ^"Stitched-up Gaetano Berardi given all-clear by Leeds United to face QPR".Yorkshire Evening Post.4 April 2016.Retrieved4 April2016.
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  29. ^"Charlie Taylor: Leeds boss Garry Monk unhappy after defender misses Wigan game".BBC Sport. 8 May 2017.Retrieved8 May2017.
  30. ^"Report: Bolton Wanderers 2–3 Leeds United".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 6 August 2017.
  31. ^"Berardi commits future to leeds".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 8 August 2017.
  32. ^"Gaetano Berardi all set for his 100th Leeds United appearance".Yorkshire Evening Post.30 December 2017.Retrieved22 May2021.
  33. ^"Gaetano Berardi & Pablo Hernandez to depart".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 21 May 2021.Retrieved22 May2021.
  34. ^James, Stuart (7 January 2018)."Newport's Shawn McCoulsky condemns Leeds to another shock FA Cup exit".The Guardian.Retrieved22 May2021.
  35. ^"Berardi to miss rest of season after FA confirm ban".Yorkshire Evening Post.7 April 2018.
  36. ^Jones, Charlie (17 April 2018)."'I will stop making mistakes when I die' Leeds United defender Berardi ".Goal.Retrieved22 May2021.
  37. ^Coombs, Dan (17 April 2018)."Leeds United fans react on Twitter to Gaetano Berardi's apology".HITC.Retrieved22 May2021.
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  40. ^Cartwright, Phil (31 August 2018)."Leeds United 0–0 Middlesbrough: Championship's top two in forgettable draw".BBC Sport.Retrieved15 September2018.
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  42. ^"Gaetano Berardi 'avoided season-ending surgery' in bid to rejoin Leeds United's Championship promotion bid".Yorkshire Evening Post.5 February 2019.Retrieved5 February2019.
  43. ^ab"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2018/2019".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
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  46. ^Woodcock, Ian (15 May 2019)."Leeds United 2–4 Derby County (3–4 agg): Jack Marriott scores twice to send Rams to Wembley".BBC Sport.Retrieved22 May2021.
  47. ^Hay, Phil (22 May 2019)."What next for Gaetano Berardi and Leeds United after seventh red card of Whites career?".Yorkshire Evening Post.Retrieved22 May2021.
  48. ^"Report: Salford City 0–3 Leeds United".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 13 August 2019.
  49. ^Chapman, Daniel (8 October 2019)."Daniel Chapman: Taking Marcelo Bielsa's suggestion and analysing Gaetano Berardi's eight Leeds United red cards".Yorkshire Evening Post.Retrieved22 May2021.
  50. ^"Gaetano Berardi: Leeds United defender wins appeal against red card".BBC Sport. 8 October 2019.
  51. ^"Championship: Leeds United promoted to Premier League after 16-year absence".BBC Sport. 17 July 2020.Retrieved9 August2020.
  52. ^abMewis, Joe; Kemble, Jamie (18 July 2020)."Full list of Leeds United players who will get Championship winners' medals".LeedsLive.Retrieved10 December2020.
  53. ^"Gaetano Berardi: Leeds United defender could be out for up to nine months with ACL injury".BBC Sport. 17 July 2020.Retrieved9 August2020.
  54. ^ab"Gaetano Berardi signs new contract".leedsunited.com.Leeds United F.C. 16 October 2020.Retrieved16 October2020.
  55. ^Cross, Beren (19 May 2021)."Hernandez and Ayling led the dressing-room celebrations after Berardi's PL debut".LeedsLive.Retrieved21 May2021.
  56. ^"Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi: Leeds confirm long-serving duo will depart Elland Road at end of season".Sky Sports.Retrieved21 May2021.
  57. ^"Gaetano Berardi & Pablo Hernandez to depart".www.leedsunited.com.21 May 2021.Retrieved1 August2021.
  58. ^"Gaetano Berardi s'engage avec le FC Sion!"(Press release) (in French).Sion.30 January 2022.Retrieved1 February2022.
  59. ^Donnohue, Joe (31 May 2023)."Leeds United fan favourite announces retirement at 34 as teammates flock to pay tribute".Yorkshire Evening Post.Retrieved31 May2023.
  60. ^abcd"Gaetano Berardi » Club matches".worldfootball.net.Retrieved22 May2021.
  61. ^abcdefGaetano Berardiat Soccerway. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  62. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2014/2015".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
  63. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2015/2016".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
  64. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2016/2017".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
  65. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2017/2018".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
  66. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2019/2020".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved22 March2020.
  67. ^"Games played by Gaetano Berardi in 2020/2021".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved15 September2020.

External links[edit]

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