Federico Bernardeschi hopes Fiorentina can use the element of surprise on Juventus and explains his row with Paulo Sousa.
The Viola host Juve on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We are preparing well. Juve are stronger, more solid, have quality and mentality,” Bernardeschi told La Repubblica newspaper.
Federico Bernardeschi hopes Fiorentina can use the element of surprise on Juventus and explains his row with Paulo Sousa.
The Viola host Juve on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We are preparing well. Juve are stronger, more solid, have quality and mentality,” Bernardeschi told La Repubblica newspaper.
“They have Paulo Dybala and the rest. But we are Fiorentina and we have the element of surprise. Our objective for the season is to lift a trophy, so we and I will try our best.
Bernardeschi has been linked with a summer exit to Inter, Juventus, Milan, Roma or further afield.
“I owe everything to Fiorentina and because of that I am focused on separating my work on the pitch from debate about my future. Maybe a year ago I would’ve spiralled into chaos, but not now: I know how to give everything I’ve got for my fans.”
Would he follow Viola teammate Nikola Kalinic to China?
“I understand Carlos Tevez going, as he has already had everything from football, but before China it’s better to stay here. There’s always time to step away from the limelight and have new experiences.”
Amid the transfer rumours, Coach Sousa said Bernardeschi was “confused,” sparking even more speculation.
“He explained later what he meant, that I wasn’t as concentrated as he wanted me to be. He was right, because I was coming off Euro 2016, an extraordinary experience, and it took me a little while to get my head 100 per cent back on Fiorentina.
“When Sousa became the Fiorentina Coach, he called me up and said just four words: I believe in you. I’ll never forget that. Last season he made me cover the whole flank, which was a real strain, so I feel better now in the trequartista role.
“I couldn’t believe it when Roberto Baggio said I was a great talent. Him, the best Italian player of all time, was talking about me. Crazy!”
Bernardeschi is one of several new Italian talents emerging for the Nazionale.
“We are destined for something great very soon, I can feel it. Italian football is being revitalised and the clubs have finally started trusting their young players.
“Coming from a hard-working family like mine, it’s mandatory that you respect the rules of sacrifice. It might seem sad not to have talent, but to have it and waste that is far worse.”
The winger also insists he can be a credible worker and get a little creative.
“People still look at you badly because of your haircut or tattoos. These are things you do when you’re 20 years old. If you do them aged 40 or 50, then that becomes sad. I did cut my hair, as there were a few too many jokes…
“If I didn’t become a football player, then I dreamed of being a musician, kind of like Santana on guitar. My favourite band is Blink-182.”