His smile was one that invoked incredible anger in Florence. Arriving for his medical in Turin, Federico Bernardeschi was mobbed by jubilant Juventus supporters, but fans of his former club were much less complimentary. "Who wouldn't like to spit you in your face?” read a banner outside the Stadio Artemio Franchi as news of the transfer began to break last week, the departure of the Viola No.10 evoking memories of Roberto Baggio following the same path back in 1990.
Then, just as now, the Fiorentina owners were looking to maximise their profit margin rather than doing what was best for the Tuscan club, much to the ire of those who proudly follow them. That is a subject covered in great detail in this previous column, but while Baggio’s switch was largely completed against his own will, Bernardeschi has clearly pushed to join the Bianconeri.
Baggio scored his first ever #SerieA goal for Fiorentina
What a player
#ForzaViola
He had previously been seen by those on the passionate Curva Fiesole as “one of them,” a native of nearby Carrara who had grown up with dreams of pulling on that famous purple kit and representing his local side. “I do have the thought in my head that I can finish my career in the Fiorentina shirt,” the 23-year-old told La Repubblica as recently as November. “We’ll see how things go over the next few years.”
Clearly, he had a change of heart. The Viola have been dismantled around him as Captain Gonzalo Rodriguez and talismanic midfielder Borja Valero have already departed, with Matías Vecino, Ciprian Tătărușanu and Nikola Kalinić expected to follow in the next few weeks. That, coupled with the dominant force Juventus have become both domestically and in the Champions League, undoubtedly prompted Bernardeschi’s decision to jump ship.
“A lot of people came to greet me, which was a really special feeling,” he told Juve’s official website shortly after signing a five-year contract. “I’m now at the disposal of the Coach and the team.” But with the €40 million deal completed, fitting him into such a high-level side is the task facing both Bernardeschi and his new boss.
It would seem that the 4-2-3-1 formation Max Allegri adopted last season will remain in place. Ironically, it was a loss to Fiorentina that inspired him to make that shift, and the prospect of seeing Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala and Bernardeschi operating behind Gonzalo Higuain is certainly a mouth-watering one.
After Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa having previously shifted him all over the field, the latter finally got to play in his preferred role as a No.10 last term, but will probably return to the flank at Juve. Before that, he had spent a long time operating as a wing-back, which will have instilled the defensive awareness he will need if the system is to function well without the forceful presence of Mario Mandžukić. The Croatian striker worked tirelessly to ensure the team were never outmanned in central midfield last term, something that will remain essential no matter who lines up in the trident.
Two of Costa, Dybala and Bernardeschi could also function in tandem if the club add another top midfielder and use a 4-3-2-1 formation instead, but while possessing the tactical awareness and versatility to shine in any role he is asked to play, it will be Bernardeschi’s attacking prowess that must be unlocked.
Already adept at thriving in the spaces between the defence and midfield lines of an opponent, he has made a major impact in wide areas. Linking well with advancing full-backs or midfielders and able to make accurate crosses or play neat through balls into the box, Bernardeschi created 2.2 clear scoring chances per 90 minutes last term according to WhoScored.com. He managed just four assists, but that figure was largely the result of Fiorentina’s slide into disarray during the final months of Sousa’s tenure, his disjointed tactics magnifying the squad’s flaws rather than masking them.
Bernardeschi will experience the exact opposite in Turin, Allegri moulding Juve into a well-drilled and free-flowing unit that will benefit from the new man’s unpredictable influence on matches. As he has demonstrated repeatedly over recent seasons, his left foot is a deadly weapon both in open play and from set pieces. Completing 60 of the 108 take-ons he attempted in 2016/17, the Viola No.10 scored 11 times in 32 league appearances, but perhaps his free kick in the Europa League clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach (above) was the pick of the bunch.
It must be noted that the one question mark hanging over him is his mentality. Prone to sulking when things don’t go his way, he has never been challenged to perform consistently and calmly deliver when it truly matters, but both will now be demanded every time he steps on the field. Nobody knows for certain if that can be taught, but where better than Juventus, where Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and others will hold him accountable?
But, if he can overcome that flaw, the flair and skill he (and Costa) will inject into the side will open up even more space for Dybala which should in turn create a more potent attack and allow the Bianconeri to compete with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. He undoubtedly has the potential to be a truly great player and the next in a long line of Juventus No.10s that includes Omar Sivori, Michel Platini and of course Alessandro Del Piero.
Roberto Baggio left the Viola to join that list, it remains to be seen if Federico Bernardeschi can do the same, but few who have seen him play would be surprised.
