At the heart of Hellas Verona`s strategy lies its midfield, anchored by the curly-haired Antoine Bernede. While he may not grab headlines or dazzle with spectacular moves, his contribution in terms of work rate, stamina, and overall impact on the team is virtually unmatched among clubs fighting for survival. Coach Paolo Zanetti, the architect behind the *Scaligeri*, fully understands Bernede`s value, rarely forgoing the vital support provided by the French midfielder, who operates as both a box-to-box player (*mezzala*) and the team`s crucial equilibrator in the central department.
Today, Bernede faces a particularly challenging task. He`ll be up against formidable opponents like Vranckx and Koné, known for their pace and physicality, along with the masterful playmaking of Matic. Bernede will need to leverage his tactical and technical prowess – his experience, interception skills, ability to restart play, and late runs into the box – to counter the midfield orchestrated by Grosso. With his low center of gravity, excellent ball control, relentless high pressing, and dynamic movement, he aims to reclaim possession deep in the *Neroverdi*`s half.
A product of the Red Bull Salzburg academy, Bernede joined them from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in 2019. He was later loaned to Lausanne, which then completed his permanent transfer to Verona in the summer after a six-month loan spell. Despite having only scored one goal for Hellas and a mere four in his entire professional career – highlighting that he is far from a natural finisher – Bernede is currently on the hunt for his first goal of the season. However, his immediate mission is far more critical: to thwart the formidable `giants` of Sassuolo.
