Leeds Star Suffers Bruises and Bleeding in first leg v Norwich.
Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto suffered some “bruises and bleeding” against Norwich City on 12 May, but Daniel Farke confirmed he’ll be available for the second play-off leg at Elland Road.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Donnohue reported that Farke had done his best to keep Gnonto “fresh” ahead of the must-win play-off semi-final on 16 May.
Gnonto had a mixed performance in the first leg at Carrow Road, being denied a penalty in the early stages and looking dangerous on the counter-attack, but picked up a yellow card for dissent and was substituted midway through the second half.
In his latest updates, Farke said that Gnonto; “had some bruises and was also bleeding a little bit”, following the first leg.
Wilfried Gnonto must be better for Leeds United in second leg
Leeds United go into the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Norwich level in the tie, having drawn 0-0 in the ‘first half’ at Carrow Road.
The other semi-final between Southampton and West Brom also finished goalless at The Hawthorns, meaning it’s all to play for going into the decisive second legs for all four promotion-chasing sides.
Gnonto, who earned a needless yellow card for clapping at a soft refereeing decision, may have been withdrawn by Farke with an eye to his fitness, but it’s clear the German was also guarding against the prospect of a second booking for the livewire Italian forward.
The Whites started with a new-look 4-3-3 formation at Carrow Road with Gnonto on the right of a front three also featuring Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, but none of the trio could make much happen in a congested final-third battle.
With the second leg at Elland Road fast approaching, Farke will be hoping that having a home crowd behind Gnonto can help to keep the 20-year-old frustrations at bay, and the Italian international must rise to the occasion if he’s to help Leeds go all the way to Wembley and break their play-off curse.
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