01 May 2018
Four games remain until the end of the season, including a Coppa Italia final, and six points are required to make mathematically certain a seventh straight Scudetto. Juventus are ready for one last push, with the same determination with which they overcame Inter in the dying seconds at the San Siro on Saturday night.
Having taken to the pitch with Juve 2-1 down and just a handful of minutes left on the clock, Federico Bernardeschi contributed to that stunning comeback in Milan, which saw the Bianconeri turn the title race in their favour.
SPIRITED SAN SIRO COMEBACK
“All of us kept believing and we managed to bring home a really hard-fought three points in difficult circumstances,” declared the 24-year-old Italian forward. “During the match, we found it tough going for long spells, but we ended up overturning the result and wrapping up a fundamental victory for the Scudetto and for this group, which once again showed its spirit.”
THE CONTROVERSY
The match in Milan has been followed by a trail of controversy, which however has not affected the Bianconeri dressing room: “We just continue working towards our goals and we are 100% focused on the field. Everyone cheers on their team and the one that wins the most can annoy rival supporters, but I think that is part of the game. As far as I’m concerned, anything that is said off the pitch serves as an extra incentive to reach our goals.”
ASTORI, AN EXAMPLE TO ALL
After Napoli’s defeat at the hands of Fiorentina on Sunday, a seventh straight Scudetto is now in the sights of the Bianconeri.
Commenting on his former club, Federico admitted: “I left many friends in Florence and, after the game, I happened to exchange some messages with old team-mates, including words of thanks. I congratulate Fiorentina who are enjoying a great season and have had the strength to overcome difficult moments like the passing of Davide Astori.
“For me, Davide was a friend, a leader and he gave me important advice so that I could grow. I spent two and a half years with him and I was honoured to have met him and played with him.”
FULL FOCUS ON TASKS AT HAND
With three matches left in the league and, as already mentioned, six points required to retain the title, the Bianconeri are working towards what would be a crucial win this Saturday at home to Bologna.
“It is a fundamental match,” emphasised Federico. “We have to approach it with a clear head and burning desire to win. This is a period of the season defined by crucial fixtures, but we are calm, focused and determined on the next goals.
“We’ve never been down in the dumps, nor overly excited by the various events of this season. We’ve just continued to work with our feet on the ground and, by doing that, the results eventually come. Success is never to be taken for granted, but by making sacrifices it is easier to attain.”
RARING TO GO FOR THE RUN-IN
Speaking of sacrifices, Federico has made many this season. Following a positive few months in his debut Bianconeri campaign, the he was forced to spend time on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the Turin Derby. However, the Italy international admits that even that moment of disappointment helped in making him a stronger person:
“I feel more mature as a result. Over the course of this year, I have grown up as a player and as a man. At 24 years of age, that is the sort of progression I ought to be making and so I'm happy. What I now want is for the season to finish in the best possible way for the Bianconeri.”
