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After finishing as runners-up in the 2012 Brasileirão, there was no way that Bernard would be leaving Atletico Mineiro in the first half of 2013, let alone as early as the January transfer window. With Copa Libertadores football coming to the Estádio Independência, there was no way that the boyhood Atletico Mineiro supporter would leave his beloved hometown club before playing his part in a push for Continental glory in the hallowed Copa Libertadores. At the time of writing, Atletico Mineiro have delivered impressive performances in the Copa Libertadores, and are currently about to face Argentine outfit Newell’s Old Boys in the Semi-Finals. As with the Brazilian mindset, Atletico have prioritized their Copa Libertadores campaign as their highest priority. This is evident in Bernard’s stats, with the youngster thus far featuring only once in the 2013 Brasileirão. Bernard has taken another step up in his fledgling career, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in his 8 Copa Libertadores appearances. Furthermore, he recently gained another international cap, coming off the bench in a much-talked-about friendly against England in Brazil’s famous Maracana stadium.
Turning 21 this year, Bernard already has 59 appearances and 11 goals in the Brasileirão, the “Revelation of the 2012 Brasileirão” award and 2 senior Brazil caps under his belt. He could also be 1 of the heroes of his beloved hometown club winning their inaugural Copa Libertadores title. What a dream two years it would be for Bernard if the latter were to happen. With Bernard’s undoubted current quality and future potential, few would bet against that possibility.
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Style, Strengths and Weaknesses
As with any diminutive player, the first thing that one notices is his lack of top notch physical attributes, in this case mainly pertaining to strength. On the bright side, Bernard has an electric turn of pace, which simply enhances his technical attributes.
Bernard has very much a team-centric style of play, frequently plays one-twos, often with Ronaldinho, Jô or Diego Tardelli. That said, as with any flair player, Bernard does have his moments of individuality. The Brazilian is comfortable with both feet and likes to drift inward from his starting spot on the left wing.
In terms of technical attributes, Bernard has good vision and is frequently that “1 step” ahead of his opponent when receiving the ball. With his gift of improvisation, Bernard doesn’t look out of place when receiving the ball with his back-to-goal or back-to-opponent – one quick turn or flick and he’s created that extra yard of space to execute his ideas. When Bernard receives the ball in the final third, the match “comes alive”, for example in Diego Tardelli’s goal (1-2) against Sao Paulo in the 2013 Copa Libertadores last-16 first leg last month. Receiving the ball from Ronaldinho on the edge of the box and with a defender behind him, a quick flick allowed Bernard to turn away from his opponent and play a pass across the edge of the box to a team-mate (who provided Tardelli with the direct assist). Galo’s attacking move received a temporary boost in that split-second moment of Bernard receiving the ball. The diminutive youngster also has intelligence in movement, often being found drifting across the 3-man playmaking line in the currently en vogue 4-2-3-1 system.
Defensively, Bernard does his fair share of tracking back and pressing the opposition. Despite his inability to be physically intimidating, Bernard’s pace gives him an edge when pressing or tracking back. When needed, the Brazilian wonderkid is willing to even track back all the way to in and around Atletico’s penalty area. Bernard clearly has a good work and team ethic. Where “technical defending” is concerned, Bernard is decent enough at marking his direct opponent when he has to track back. His football intelligence comes in handy here, as Bernard is able to maintain his focus on marking his opponent and knowing where his opponent is even when the ball is on the opposite flank. That’s an attribute that most coaches will appreciate, as every so often we see attackers having a lapse in concentration and their direct opponent ends up scoring a goal.
A clear weakness of Bernard’s would be his lack of physical strength and, as with almost every young talent, inexperience. These weaknesses can be ironed out with time. Unfortunately, a barrier in Bernard’s progression could be the impression that people have with regard to his diminutive stature. However, that is more of a mindset barrier than any overwhelming weakness.
Where the intangible aspects are concerned, Bernard has a fair bit of tenacity, enough to “to care of himself” on the field, so to speak. With the spotlight currently centred on diving, this isn’t a problem with Bernard, who doesn’t go to ground at the first point of physical contact with an opponent.
All in all, Bernard is clearly an extremely talented young Brazilian and he has all the tools needed to make his mark on European football.
