Bernardeschi: 'Fiorentina can compete for the Scudetto!'
“We can play anyone," he told CalcioNews24, "we don’t lack for anything in order to compete, but let’s not count our chickens before they're hatched”.
The 21-year-old also spoke of the Florentine side's ambitions, with a Europa League second round berth just one game away - as well as his pride in being five points ahead of bitter rivals Juventus after 15 Serie A games.
“We want to make a deep run in the Europa League, we have to win.
"I would never have imagined travelling to Juventus with a five-point lead over the Bianconeri, but we’ve earned it and we’re proud.
“Juventus are in the race for the title, as are Napoli, Roma, Inter and Fiorentina”.
Oddly enough, the Carrara-born footballer could have joined Juventus last Spring - something we revealed exclusively last night - though his great admirer, Fabio Paratici, was beaten to it by Fiorentina, who offered him a better deal.
Speaking of the possibility of leaving Fiorentina, there has been talk lately that Barcelona were interested in Bernardeschi, though the young midfielder stayed coy.
“It’s just talk, I have agents that take care of that, I’m focussed only on Fiorentina. My objectives are in the present tense, not the future".
“My injury from last year drove me up the wall, I realised just how important football is to me”.
Berna then revealed something unusual about his past, namely that he had "turned down an MTV reality show to focus on football”.
Alwasy very positive on the pitch, the Under-21 international was also effusive about manager Paulo Sousa, and spoke of his hopes for the future.
“He’s left a great impression on me, he is confident, yet also oozes a sense of authority and security. He’s asked me to focus and work hard, and to follow his teachings.
“I’m 21, I hope to still be a footballer in ten years’ time, and to be an example. It would be nice to become a Viola icon, but I need to have won here to do so”.
Fiorentina play Belensese on Thursdays in their last game in Group I, with even a draw enough to qualify to the next round, though a win could ensure first place if Basel lose to Lech Poznan.
Bernardeschi netted 12 times in 39 games for Crotone whilst on loan to the Calabrian side in 2013-2014.
