07 June 2016
A crucial part of Sassuolo’s historic promotion in 2013, consolidation in Serie A and most recently securing of European football for the first time in the club’s history, Juve’s newest acquisition promises to complement the wealth of young attacking talent already at Massimiliano Allegri’s disposal and take his own diverse game to the next level.
Berardi arrives at the reigning champions looking to maintain the remarkable upwards momentum that has seen him score 38 times and provide 22 assists in three top-flight seasons and establish himself as one of the most promising young talents in the country.
Possessing an unerringly accurate left foot, committed defensive discipline and more than enough pace to burn, the 21-year old has all the necessary tools required of a wide forward in the modern game.
Although operating generally on the right-hand side of a 4-3-3 formation at former club Sassuolo, whom he departs as the club’s all-time leading scorer (49), the Italian’s driving runs and tactical nous make him far more than a traditional touchline winger.
Often seen cutting inside to play in the spaces between the opposition’s midfield and defence or driving diagonally into the penalty area, the youngster has consistently demonstrated a tactical and positional sense that belies his years, a feature that will no doubt prove vital to the Bianconeri’s already extensive attacking plans.
The result when all of the above is put together can be potentially devastating, as showcased in a stunning four-goal show against Milan midway through the 2013/2014 season, a breakthrough campaign that would yield 16 strikes for the then 19-year old, his most productive to date as a professional.
Not only did Berardi’s quartet that afternoon make him the second youngest player in Serie A history to achieve such a feat, it also showcased what the forward is all about in the final third: the first, third and fourth efforts all examples of excellent movement from outside to in, the second a remarkable finish on the spin with his back to goal.
A similar haul of 15 in 32 league appearances came the following year, adding free-kicks and long-range screamers to his highlight reel.
While the forward’s tally would drop to seven in the season just finished, three of which coming from the penalty spot, his overall statistics demonstrate that the other facets of his game have remained as impressive as before.
In fact, Berardi created more chances per game than the average forward (1.28 vs 0.86) in Italy’s top-flight while also attempting more crosses (2.38 vs 0.92), completing more dribbles (1.07 vs 0.74) and successfully finding team-mates with more long passes (1.86 vs 0.5) than his offensive counterparts.
What’s more, the former Cosenza junior far outperformed any other attacking player in the defensive stakes, making three times as many interceptions (1.03 vs 0.32) and almost double the number of recoveries of possession (3.59 vs 2.01) on average, clear indicators of the playmaker’s tenacious work-rate and all-action intensity on and off the ball.
In swooping for Berardi, Juventus have secured the services of a player with a past track record that it is as striking as his black and white future is frighteningly promising.
Watch this space.
