Exclusive interview: Vincenzo Bernardo

This interview was first published on www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk. To view it, click here.

US striker Vincenzo Bernardo

At only 20, Vincenzo Bernardo has already experienced life in three different leagues. From his early beginnings in the Metrostars Youth system (now the New York Red Bulls) to spending three years with Italian side Napoli to playing in the Austrian league, the American Italian striker is certainly making a name for himself.

Vincenzo sits down with Clean Sheets All Round to talk world football, tactics and to clarify if the beautiful game should really be called soccer or football.

You have dual citizenship like Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi so are eligible to play for both the USA and Italy national team. Was it difficult for you to choose which country to play for?

For me it was a straightforward decision. Growing up in America, I grew into the American youth system with the national team and never really considered the Italy national team. I didn’t really see it any other way. I’m in the U23 pool for USA and the goal and dream is to represent the United States at the highest level.

You played in the Metrostars Youth system (now the New York Red Bulls). What did you learn there?

I was there at 14 and it was a professional environment, something that is very rare in America and especially at that time. I got my first taste at a professional club. I learnt a lot and it was important for me to be part of a team that takes football seriously. You learn a lot by watching the older players and the coaching staff. It was a big learning experience.

You chose to go to Europe after that to develop as a player [with Napoli]. Why did you choose to go to there rather than stay in the MLS system?

I made a decision at 16 and at that time I didn’t consider staying in the MLS. The place to play soccer is in Europe and I didn’t think twice about going to Napoli. It was a dream and fortunately everything worked out well.

Major League Soccer (MLS) as a league has developed over the past decade. How do you view the level of football in America at the moment?

Soccer is growing a great deal and it’s more appealing when they bring players like [David] Beckham and [Thierry] Henry. I’m no one to judge the level of play in America, there are different styles and different beliefs in different countries and in the MLS, it’s definitely getting better. I think it’s important they bring in these big players and they can blend that in with the young talent. Soccer is taking great strides and hopefully it will keep growing.

There are quite a few American players who are plying their trades abroad in Europe. Have you received any advice from them about developing your career?

I haven’t really met any of the players who are oversees but I really look up to Giuseppe Rossi because he’s Italian American, just like I am. I watch all different types of professionals and see what they do and try and learn and take a little bit from them. Every game, every training session is a learning experience.

Vincenzo played in Napoli's youth system for three years

You played in Napoli’s youth system for three years. What did you learn in Italy?

I learned the real game of soccer – how it’s played and how it’s thought about. It’s very tactical and as a player I developed a great deal technically. I learned how to become a professional on and off the field.

Did you find it easy to fit in culturally?

I grew up in an Italian family so I was familiar with the language and the culture. But at 16, moving to another country was quite difficult at the beginning and it did take time to adapt to the whole culture.

Napoli have done really well this season in Serie A. Do you think they can win the league?

The goal for them is to be top four and to get into the Champions League, but the way that they are going, I think they have the talent and the team are doing very well so yeah.

They have players who have been together for about three to four years now and the team has finally moulded into a strong core with players like [Marek] Hamsik, [Ezequiel Ivan] Lavezzi and [Walter] Gargano. With the addition of [Edinson] Cavani, who has just been scoring goals, they’re definitely contenders for the title but I think that the number one goal is to qualify for the Champions League.

Do you support Napoli having played there?

Yes! My family is from Napoli and I remember going on vacation there when I was younger and I watched their games on TV. My family all support the team. When I was 16, I was approached from four or five different clubs. But when I heard Napoli wanted me, it was a dream come true for everybody. I couldn’t decline that offer.

You’re now playing for FC Hochst in the Austrian league. Tell us a little bit about the club and the league itself.

The football here in Austria is not bad, I definitely think there a lot of good players. They try and play good soccer. I haven’t had a chance to watch many first division games and I’m still learning the game here but it’s pretty good quality.

What’s the major difference between the Austrian league and the Italian league?

I think Italian soccer is a bit slower but at the same time it’s a lot more technical and tactical. In Italy, everyone is very strong and very secure with the ball and they move it around. It’s not as fast as in Austria or anywhere else for that matter. Sometimes in Italy they get criticised for playing slower but it’s a different style.

You trialled with Watford after you left Napoli. How was your experience of English football?

When I was 17, I went to England and was with Coventry and that was my first taste of English football. They asked me to stay but I was with Napoli and didn’t want to leave. But after growing and developing in Italy, I spent one week with Watford. They’re in the second division so it’s a really good level and the style of play is very physical and very fast. At the technical level, I was one of the better players but it didn’t suit me as player at that time. Maybe in the future, anything can happen. At that time, it didn’t feel the right fit for me.

What league do you think is the best in the world at the moment?

[Laughs] A lot of people would say the EPL [English Premier League] but I’d have to say [pauses] Serie A.

Reasons?

People don’t understand the game there. It’s very difficult to play in Italy and to score a goal as teams defend very well. In England there’s more space and it’s very fast but in Italy, there are less mistakes. It’s more difficult to do well in Italy than in England.

Vincenzo plays as a striker/attacking midfielder

What players do you look up to?

My main idol is Lavezzi. As soon as he came to Napoli, I looked up to the way he plays and try and get things from his game. But of course [Lionel] Messi – he’s the main man right now and he’s just unbelievable. Also Rossi from Villarreal.

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Messi!

Favourite teams?

A lot of people ask me what team I support but I support the beautiful game [laughs]. I know it sounds a little corny but I love watching teams that play beautiful soccer. Barcelona, Arsenal, Roma, teams like that. I support teams that play the game right. I know Arsenal are that in England and of course Barcelona are just unbelievable.

What’s the worst moment you’ve ever experienced in football?

An unbelievable moment was when I was with the reserve team of Napoli. We were in the playoffs and we had a home and away match with Genoa. We beat Genoa 3-1 at home which was huge for us. We went to Genoa thinking we could go through in the tie with a low scoring game. At half-time it was 0-0 and I remember thinking in the locker room that there’s no way anything could change drastically. And the final score was 6-2 and they went through! That was unbelievable – very shocking. I think we would have went through if it was 4-2 but it was weird, sad, the worst – everything put together!

Highlight moment of your career so far?

I have a few good moments playing with Napoli’s first team and training with them. In one particular game I got called up for a friendly match with the first team and I scored – that was a big deal for me as it was my first goal. Even though it was a friendly, it was my first goal with Serie A players. Being called up with the national team is always an honour and now signing with Hochst was a big deal. I was very happy to come here and do well.

Your contract with Hochst expires at the end of this season in June – where do you see yourself playing next season?

The goal for me is to move up but I’m going to take it game by game and do as well as I can. This is a good opportunity and a lot of people are watching and keeping in touch with what I’m doing. I’m just going to try and do the best I can and score as many goals as possible and help the team from relegation which is the number one goal.

What would be your top tips for younger players who want to play as an attacking midfielder/striker like you?

Number one tip is to play as quick as possible and to judge every situation. There’ll be times you have to play an easy pass and play simple, others, you have to risk it and take a man one on one and you have to be the difference as you’re the creator on the field. Take the right opportunity at the right time.

And finally, is it soccer or football? What do you call it?

[Laughs] It depends where you come from! Speaking to some of my English friends, when I say soccer they always laugh. It depends who I’m talking to – it’s football and then soccer in America. I mix it up a little bit!

Interview and words: Vaishali Bhardwaj