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Juventus 2-0 Cagliari: 3 key takeaways from the final game of 2021

By James Cormack

TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 21: Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus celebrates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 21, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 21: Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus celebrates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 21, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /
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Bernardeschi’s renaissance is complete

Images that precede fortunate events. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Images that precede fortunate events. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

There you have it, folks. The Federico Bernardeschi remontada is complete, and what a fitting time of the year for the story to conclude.

The 27-year-old Italian was once again superb on Tuesday night as his fine form continued. He’s started Juventus’ last six games, performed various functions in numerous systems and contributed with three assists. He sort of but not really added another to his collection against Cagliari, but his deflected strike from distance that Kean smartly turned goalbound won’t officially count as an assist. More significantly, though, Bernardeschi ended his 513-day goal drought in the final game of 2021.

Alessio Cragno may feel as if he should’ve done more to deny the Italian’s drilled effort across goal, but this little bit of goalkeeping incompetence was no less than Bernardeschi deserved. He’s been Juventus’ most consistent performer since he was introduced for Federico Chiesa at half-time of the Atalanta defeat last month.

With many still boasting the mindset that Bernardeschi was, well, a bit of waste of space, very few suspected that his bright second-half display against Atalanta would ignite a purple patch that culminated in him departing the Allianz Stadium to a standing ovation on Tuesday night. Shouts of “SIGN DA TING!” (or whatever it is in Italian) bellowed out across the Allianz as he exited proceedings with many clamouring for Berna to extend his contract in Turin.

Okay, maybe I fantasised the last bit. But still, we want him to stay!

The Italian’s versatility, persistence and usability have finally been recognised not only by fans, but Allegri as well. Bernardeschi is playing his best football in four years, and let’s just pray to God that he doesn’t return to obscurity in the new year when the likes of Dybala and Chiesa return.

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