, Leeds United: former striker comments on difference now back in Italy

Leeds United: former striker comments on difference now back in Italy

When Mirco Antenucci signed for Leeds United from Serie B side Ternana near the end of August 2014, Whites fans didn’t know what to expect.

What they did get was a bearded forward, with good ball control and an eye for goal. Whilst at Leeds United, fans quickly warmed to the affable Italian who repaid them with some solid work and some key goals.

In his first season at Elland Road Antenucci made 36 Sky Bet championship appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists for teammates. Eight of these goals came before the turn of 2015, where he was an ever-present through the first 24 games of the seasons.

After the turn of the year, Antenucci featured in only 15 games, playing less than the full 90 minutes and with many of his appearances being from the bench. Consequently, the only goals that he scored in that half of the season were in consecutive games against Fulham and Blackpool.

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The 15/16 campaign was less productive for the Italian striker on the goals front (9) but more productive in terms of assists (5), but it soon became clear that Mirco Antenucci’s future lay away from Elland Road. That proved to be the case and the popular Italian returned to his homeland on a free transfer to Serie B side SPAL 2013.

This season, back in Serie B, Antenucci has come alive and his 17 league goals have fired SPAL to Serie A promotion after an absence of 49 years. Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, and reported on website TUTTOmercatoWEB (TmW), Antenucci gives an insight into both the joy of promotion to Italian football’s top-tier and the difference between his career now, and his time in England.

Talking about the emotions linked with promotion, Antenucci said: “for three or fours days I will not sleep, I will recover in June.” he then goes on to talk more specifically about the fact that, in returning to Italy, he feels that he’s made the right choice.

On this return to Italy, more specifically to SPAL 2013, Antenucci draws parallels between choosing SPAL and his previous tenure in England. Speaking directly about his choice to return back home to Italy, the 32-year-old striker said: “When I chose Ferrara I had positive feelings that have proved spot on. A group with a community feeling and a calm life after two years in England.

SPAL’s promotion to Serie A could mean that two ex-Leeds United players could be plying their trade in Italy’s top-tier competition with Mirco Antenucci joining compatriot Giuseppe Bellusci who could very well make a permanent move from the Whites to Empoli should the Serie a strugglers manage to avoid relegation this season.

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