Former Toronto FC star Federico Bernardeschi will face another one of his former clubs on Sunday as Bologna host Juventus. This one will be one of those micro-battles that can quietly decide a big game, which it will be for Canadian observers who will tune in to see how the former TFC man fares against Canada’s goal scoring superstar, Jonathan David.
Bernardeschi, the 31-year-old Italian playmaker who rejoined Serie A after being bought out by Toronto FC this summer, has been involved in 13 Serie A matches for Bologna so far this season, but he has made just three starts and has come off the bench 10 times, totalling 407 minutes in the league, with one goal and zero assists to show for that playing time.
Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano has mostly treated Bernardeschi as an impact player rather than an every-week No.10. Berna capped a dominant Bologna night with a [stoppage-time finish as the Rossoblù blanked Udinese 3-0 away](https://wakingthered.com/2025/11/24/21697/watch-federico-bernardeschi-scores-late-in-big-bologna-win/) three weeks ago — it was his first Serie A goal in three years.
Juventus’ narrative this season is different. Since David arrived it’s been one of reinvention and patched-up continuity. The Canadian’s arrival from Lille on a five-year deal has added fresh attacking options for the Bianconeri, but prior to the injury to Dušan Vlahovic, David’s chances dried up after a goalless drought that shockingly stretched to 18 games for both club and country. Having scored in back-to-back Champions League games, David has found a bit of momentum as Luciano Spalletti has entrusted the Canadian with more minutes.
David’s physical mobility, positioning, and knack for arriving late in the box give Juve a different kind of threat compared to the more traditional target-man profile Juventus have lacked all season.
Bologna will hope to disrupt Juve’s rhythm by inviting the hosts on and then using Bernardeschi’s delivery, from both open play and set pieces, to create half-chances in the box — that’s if Italiano chooses to use the former TFC man for more than just garbage minutes at the end of the match.