Article by Elliott Martin
As gifted technically as he is hard working, Federico Bernardeschi is almost the epitome of modern football; versatile, willing, unquestionably skilled and confident from a young age. Seen by many in Tuscany as the heir to Roberto Baggio he was prolific at youth level and was even called up by Italy before making his first Serie A appearance. His talent has taken him far but his desire and mental attitude is seeking to take the number ten progressively further. Bernardeschi has been at Fiorentina since age nine, the now 23-year-old has only ever known Florence but the world is beginning to realise his talent.
Bernardeschi's attitude displays just how much appreciation he has for Fiorentina whilst his performances have started to match the unwavering pride in him that La Viola have, no matter where he may play. Having featured on both wings, trequartista and at wing-back for his hometown club his determination to help his team cannot be doubted. His impact from any position is always felt and his influence on the side grows season by season. The man nicknamed Brunelleschi, after the famous architect, is one assist away from matching last seasons total whilst his goal tally has more than doubled. The Italian international is the embodiment of Fiorentina and Paulo Sousa, achieving results with technique and artistry at the centre.
Supreme shooting technique and pinpoint set-pieces are just two of the weapons he holds to his name whilst his ability to create takes centre stage. His acceleration and dribbling takes players out of the game whilst his awareness and weight of pass brings others into it. Like an architect Bernardeschi manufactures the perfect environment whilst supervising the construction of Fiorentina's play.
The 23-year-old is frequently fouled in Serie A but remains level headed, instead channeling his frustrations into dragging Fiorentina forward. His role this season has taken on more leadership with his performance away at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Europa League showing this brilliantly. With the German side missing countless chances and dominating the play Bernardeschi remained composed and waited for his chance. What resulted was, as described by the man himself, “the best goal” of his career and a final score that was far from representative of the actual game play. A sweet curling freekick bended around, not over, the wall and nestled in the top corner of the net. The game was won and his name was on the scoresheet.
To be an architect you must connect design to construction. Bernardeschi manages to do so without thinking, creating chances via crossing and dribbling at speed. Bernardeschi makes the advanced look beginner, a player who has all the technique you can want is now seeing his decision making catch up.
