February 18, 2021...'The Canadian Kaka': Michael Petrasso Lauded For Superb Form in London (from York United FC website)

  
'THE CANADIAN KAKA': MICHAEL PETRASSO LAUDED FOR SUPERB FORM IN LONDON    

The York United FC midfielder is on a season-long loan with Barnet.

It's safe to say that the Barnet FC supporters have taken to York United midfielder Michael Petrasso. 

Having joined on a season-long loan deal last October, the 25-year-old has been in superb form 
for the National League club, despite the difficult circumstances. 

The side have struggled for much of the campaign and parted ways with manager Peter Beadle 
in mid-December after a nine-game winless run. He was replaced as boss by Tim Flowers, a Premier League 
winner with Blackburn Rovers in 1995 and also a former England international. But Petrasso 
had to wait to impress the new man. A hamstring injury picked up in an FA Cup clash with MK Dons 
at the end of November meant a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, since returning in January, 
his form has been sensational. 

In five games since his return, Petrasso has scored three times. In total, that's seven in eleven 
appearances in all competitions. Memorably, he grabbed a brace on his debut in an FA Cup 
preliminary tie with Leiston while he's also found the net against Bromley, Woking, Dover and Aldershot.

On Tuesday night, Petrasso grabbed the opener at home to Halifax, a game that ended in a 2-1 Barnet win 
- the team's first three points in the league since mid-October and first victory of any kind 
since November 8th.

"Michael has an effect on a game," says Flowers this week.

"He's got an end product. Sometimes (with) lads, there's a hundred step-overs, a couple of Cruyff 
turns and then Scotch mist. He's scored three since coming back from injury and could've had 
a couple more. When he gets in the final third, something happens. The kid's got a little bit 
of something at the business end of the pitch. He's done really well and he's a nice lad - he's quiet, 
he's low-maintenance, he gets on with his job: he's a good kid. At the moment he's grasped the nettle 
and taken his chance, so fair play to him."

With Petrasso now the team's leading scorer, his form has not gone unnoticed by Barnet fans. 
On social media, some have even dubbed him the "Canadian Kaka".

The hard work is certainly paying off. Shortly after joining, he spoke of his objectives.

"I'd like to improve my finishing," he told us.

"And if I stay healthy and play then hopefully I'll be able to do that here."

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