Federico Bernardeschi

Federico Bernardeschi (Italian pronunciation: [fedeˈriko bernarˈdeski]; born 16 February 1994) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Fiorentina and the Italian national team. Bernardeschi started his professional club career with Fiorentina in 2013, and has remained with the club ever since, aside from a season loan to Crotone during the 2013–14 season. At international level, he has represented Italy at youth level, making his senior debut in 2016, and was a member of the nation's squad at UEFA Euro 2016.

Early career

He began playing football at age six with Atletico Carrara. A year later he transferred to Ponzano, a football school of Empoli, before arriving at Fiorentina, who inserted him in the "Pulcini" age group, at the age of nine in 2003.

After passing through the ranks of the Fiorentina youth system, he spent the 2013–14 season on loan at Crotone in Serie B. He made his professional debut at 19 years old, on 8 September 2013 against Pescara, when he entered the field after 75 minutes, replacing Soufiane Bidaoui. At the end of the season Bernareschi scored 12 goals in 39 appearances and Crotone exercised the option to acquire half the player's contract in co-ownership.

Fiorentina

On 20 June 2014, Fiorentina officially redeemed Crotone's half of Bernareschi's contract, and he was inserted into the first under the direction of Vincenzo Montella. During the 2014–15 season he obtained 10 appearances and three goals in all competitions, partially hampered by a fracture to his ankle which kept him out from November 2014. He made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2014, at the age of 20, coming off the bench in the 57th minute of a 0–0 home draw against Genoa. Four days later, he made his debut in European debut in a 3–0 home win over Guingamp in the Europa League, in which he also scored his first goal for the club. After returning to the team following his injury, he scored his first goal in Serie A on the final matchday of the season, in a 3–0 home win over Chievo on 31 May 2015.

He was awarded the number 10 shirt at the start of the 2015–16 season, previously worn by the likes of Giancarlo Antognoni and Roberto Baggio. On 26 November 2015, Bernardeschi scored two goals in a 2–2 away draw against Basel in the Europa League group stage. On 6 February 2016, Bernardeschi scored his second goal in Serie A, during a 1–1 away draw against Bologna.

Bernardeschi with the Italy under-21

On 5 March 2014, he made his debut with the Italy under-21, in a Euro 2015 qualifying match against Northern Ireland. He took part at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under manager Luigi Di Biagio. From 10 to 12 March 2014, he was called up to the senior national team by coach Cesare Prandelli as part of an internship to evaluate young players ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, confirmed on the next meeting between 14 and 15 April.

Bernardeschi received his first call up to the senior Italy squad by manager Antonio Conte in March 2016 for friendlies against Spain and Germany. He made his international debut for Italy on 24 March, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 home draw against Spain, and was involved in Lorenzo Insigne's goal. On 31 May 2016, he was named to Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in Italy's final group match, which ended in a 1–0 defeat to Ireland.

A quick, strong, technically gifted, and hard-working left-footed player, with a good positional sense and an eye for goal, Bernardeschi is regarded as one of Italy's most exciting and talented prospects; his preferred position is as a right winger in a 4–3–3 formation, which allows him to cut in and shoot towards goal or create chances with his stronger left foot, although he is also capable of playing on the left. Due to his tactical versatility, stamina, vision and defensive work-rate, as well as his technical and physical attributes, he is also capable of playing as a second striker, as an attacking midfielder, as a classic number 10 playmaker, as a forward, or even as a wing-back along the right flank. He has cited Francesco Totti as his role model.

Club

As of 22 December 2016

International

As of 15 November 2016

Individual

• AIAC Football Leader Under-21 Award: 2015–16

• "Football Leader, Bernardeschi eletto miglior Under 21" (in Italian). Tuttosport. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.