Federico Bernardeschi was satisfied looking back at his time in Serie A with Fiorentina and Juventus, suggesting that he had ‘no regrets at all’.
The Italian winger was one of the most exciting talents in Italy during his time in Florence, but he failed to hit those heights during his five-year spell with Juventus, often frustrating the fans. He only scored 12 goals in Turin, nine less than he managed during his time with the Viola. He signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Toronto FC in the summer after leaving the Bianconeri.
Speaking to DAZN, Bernardeschi first discussed the passion for football permeating life in the Italian peninsula.
“In Italy we live football perhaps more like an obsession. We obviously play for the fans and we also have to be grateful for that, but in my opinion, in life, there must always be limits and sometimes, unfortunately, we have exceeded them a bit.”
He reflected on his move from Fiorentina to Juventus and how he grew as a result.
“When I entered the Juventus dressing room I was 23 years old, there were no 23-year-olds. Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli, Marchisio, Khedira, Mandzukic, Matuidi… I mentioned 8 of them who won the World Cup, the Champions League….
“What are we talking about? Nothing. At 23 years old, to enter a locker room with these people here… If I am what I am today, it’s certainly thanks to a percentage of that locker room. With personality, with character, but still with great respect.”
The 28-year-old Italian winger does not hold any regrets from his time in Serie A.
“No, none at all. I played at a top European club, I won a lot. I repeat, I am European champion, we did something extraordinary with my teammates in the national team.
“I don’t know, if I close my eyes and think back to when I left as a kid at Fiorentina and think of the dreams I had, I’d say to myself, ‘these were it’.”
Bernardeschi remembered taking penalties for Italy at Euro 2020 and if he ever considered not taking one.
“If someone has the character they always does. I would’ve felt bad about myself not taking it, the coach asked who felt like it and very few felt like it, I can assure you!
“If I had missed there would’ve been all the sorrow in the world, but it would’ve been worse if I didn’t have the courage to take one.
“It’s too easy, when things are going well, to pump yourself up with ego, inflate your chest and do things, it becomes more predictable. Instead, it’s when things are going badly that what you really are has to come out, that’s what counts.
“In the walk to take the penalty your heart beats, the pitch is endless, it’s something indescribable. As soon as I took the ball in my hand and put it on the penalty spot it’s as if everything stopped.”
The former Fiorentina and Juventus winger discussed his decision to join MLS outfit Toronto FC.
“To have an experience like that takes a bit of an open mind. I would never have chosen them if I hadn’t come to see what they were like first. I had the chance to stay in Italy at two big clubs and I took a plane with Toronto written on it without anyone knowing.
“It’s not Los Angeles or New York, where you go on holiday. It was hard to imagine us going to Toronto. In fact, I took Deva so that if anything came out, I had the excuse of being with my wife and baby for two days on holiday.”
Finally, Bernardeschi reacted to the suggestion that he might have taken a step back in his career with the move to Toronto.
“But what if, in five years, the MLS becomes the premier league in the world?”