Federico Bernardeschi reflected on his departure from Juventus, his emergence at Fiorentina and his decision to join MLS outfit Toronto FC.
The 28-year-old Italian winger signed a four-and-a-half year contract with the Canadian side after leaving the Bianconeri on a free transfer in the summer, ending a five-year spell with the Turin side. Bernardeschi has started incredibly well with Toronto, scoring eight goals in his first 11 MLS appearances, and he’s been working well with fellow departing Serie A star Lorenzo Insigne.
Speaking to TLN, Bernardeschi first discussed his shock decision to switch Juventus for Toronto FC in the summer.
“I believe that I finished a journey at Juventus. There were various teams we spoke to, and various teams that came forward.
“They’re important names and I thank them, but there were little things that didn’t work out one way or another. With Toronto everything went smoothly.”
He gave his thoughts on the MLS as a whole.
“I think the MLS has a great future, I think they have very big projects, not only here in Toronto as they’re showing, but for the entire league.
“This is good for all football worldwide but especially for football and sport in North America. It is beautiful to see and for sure it’s beautiful to be a part of.”
The 28-year-old looked back at his five-year spell with Juventus, where he experienced various ups and downs.
“At Juventus, you feel the pressure every day, absolutely yes, but this is part of football. I have to say for myself, during the first six months at Juve, the impact was very different than the world I was coming from, and for me, it was really hard, but after that, I lived it with lots of serenity.
“Actually for me, I love taking on responsibility, feeling the pressure from the fans.”
Bernardeschi spoke a little more about the Juventus fans and their expectations.
“All the fans put pressure on you! Otherwise, what kind of fans would they be? That’s normal. But I have to say that during all those years, the Juve supporters would carry us, I remember, through some incredible games, as if they were playing with us.
“These are emotions you carry with you forever, you are able to do incredible things just because you feel that energy, that real passion.
“But it’s a double edged sword, when you do well, you’re doing great, but when things aren’t going well, then it’s bad.
“It’s like when the team wins, then as a fan maybe you go to work to boast to your coworkers, but if the team loses, then perhaps you don’t show up at all! That’s normal, it’s part of life, that’s sport, that’s passion.”
He looked back at his breakthrough with Fiorentina, where he scored 23 goals in 93 appearances across all competitions.
“I did really well at 18 years old in Serie B with Crotone but then I broke the malleolus of my ankle at 19.
“At 20 I was a starter with Fiorentina in Serie A and I spent three good years with Fiorentina as a starter and I felt like myself, in the sense when you play and have fun and are healthy, you do good and normally you feel good.”
The Toronto FC winger gave his thoughts on former Juventus teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think he has changed the history of football, because of his accomplishments both individually and as a team.
“He provided a huge lesson to everyone, which is how to work hard.”
Finally, Bernardeschi discussed his Azzurri hopes after moving to the MLS and if he’s spoken with coach Roberto Mancini.
“No I have not spoken to him yet, there’ll be a way and time for that.”
He did reasonably well under Allegri, but failed horribly under Sarri and certainly Pirlo.
^disagree he underperformed with allegri and was really poor under sarri / pirlo.
However he played very well under mancini italy.
Think all managers gave him too many tatical instructions on how to attack and where to run, and mancini gave him his freedom.
All the best to him in mls