Georginio Rutter ended a poor run of form on Thursday night by scoring for Leeds United in a 4-0 win over Norwich City in the play-offs and Mirco Antenucci reacted on Instagram.
Rutter has been exceptional for Leeds this season, the club-record signing showing why The Whites paid north of £30m to sign him from Hoffenheim in January, having a hand in 25 goals in the regular season.
The Frenchman though, underwent hernia surgery during the March international break and has not been his previous self since. Before last night, Rutter went nine games without scoring or laying on an assist.
Not only had Rutter struggled in the final third to increase his already impressive numbers, but he looked like a player lacking in confidence in his overall performances, different to the Rutter was saw pre-March.
But, his display on Thursday night was special. Rutter produced a wonderful performance, winning the man of the match award and scoring his eighth goal of the season with a right-footed effort, Leeds’ third.
After goals from Ilia Gruev and Joel Piroe, Rutter slammed home an effort past Angus Gunn and Leeds icon Mirco Antenucci reacted to his goal with a two-word comment on Leeds’ Instagram post.
Antenucci reacts to Rutter’s goal for Leeds on Instagram
If there has been any criticism of Rutter aside from his recent form, it is his lack of goals. It is not as if Rutter has lacked chances throughout, he really should have scored more than eight goals of his own.
Daniel Farke spoke after the game about how Rutter had trained well but performed “badly” in games, saying he “lost his shape”. But, that changed last night as he scored and produced a top performance.
Leeds posted on Instagram after Rutter scored our third of the night in the 4-0 win over Norwich and Antenucci reacted by commenting a two-word reaction to The Frenchman’s brilliant finish: “Let’s gooo.”
What has Antenucci been up to since Leeds exit in 2016
Antenucci played 80 times in two seasons for Leeds, having a hand in 27 goals after being signed in Massimo Cellino’s first summer. He returned to Italy with SPAL, scoring 20 goals to get his side promoted.
He then scored 16 goals in two seasons in Serie A, before moving to Bari for the next four years – netting a massive 63 goals in 141 games. Last summer, with Antenucci now 39, he returned to SPAL in Serie C.
He remains the third-tier club’s captain and still managed to score five goals in 37 games this season, with his contract due to expire in 2025. It could well see Antenucci continue playing at 40 years of age.