PSG is done: now Bernat sets out to conquer Spain – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Football

QUALIFICATIONS EURO 2020 – Arrived on tiptoe a little over a year ago, Juan Bernat is now unanimous in PSG. The Spanish side now has an opportunity to seize to settle in selection. With an ambitious goal: to participate in Euro 2020 with Roja.

Video – Hoeness: "I apologize for insulting Bernat"

0:33

Champions League mode

The Champions League is precisely the terrain chosen by Bernat to meet his former leader. The one where the former hope of Valencia ended up holding misplaced promises in Munich. He achieved impeccable performance on the defensive side. He scored especially goals against Liverpool (2-1), Naples (1-1) and even Manchester United, despite the defeat (1-3). In this competition considered as revealing at the highest level, the Spaniard had already established himself as one of the most reliable players in Europe in his post last season. In addition to being decisive.

He perfectly chose his moment to confirm this season. Nothing could give him more exposure on his native peninsula than the arrival of Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes. Bernat handed the Champions League mode with a decisive pass for Angel Di Maria and another for Thomas Meunier. In the end, it had a monumental impact on the correction Paris imposed on the White House. He confirmed a very high level of play in the European Cup competition, against the most successful club. And all Spain can see it.

Thomas Meunier and Juan BernatGetty Images

A combination of circumstances

Bernat had already returned to the radars of the Spanish selection. His performances with PSG had allowed him to meet La Roja last March, almost four years after his last call in the national team. He was even in front of Malta (0-2) before leaving on injury shortly before the hour of play. His regularity at the highest level was once again rewarded when Robert Moreno included him in his list for this October rally and playoff matches for Euro 2020 against Norway and Sweden.

But PSG's left-back has mostly benefited from a combination of favorable circumstances. Injuries to Jordi Alba and José Gaya deprived the Spanish coach of his first two options. If competitive with Paris Saint-Germain, Bernat remains for the moment behind the players of Barça and Valencia in the hierarchy established by Moreno and his predecessors. And he remains in competition with Sergio Reguilon, the defender of Seville loaned by Real Madrid, for a status of titular.

Jordi Alba and Juan BernatGetty Images

"Complicate the coach's choices"

Bernat, however, is not one to put the cart before the horse. Even if he holds and performs in a club that aims to win the Champions League, the Spaniard does not claim anything. And savor every thing as it comes. "I'm proud to be back in the team, he explained in an interview with the daily As. It's a first recognition I've been waiting for because being part of this team is one of the greatest joys a footballer can feel. At least in my case."

But humility does not prohibit ambition. Bernat did not hide his. So far, he has never had the chance to play a big international tournament with La Roja. In the form of his club life, the Parisian has the best opportunity of his career to finally experience this experience at the Euro 2020. "I will give a lot for thathe said. But I have to keep a high level performance with PSG. Everything passes by there. It is not easy to integrate the Seleccion, but I will fight to complicate the choices of the coach."Bernat has reason to believe it, if only because he is there, when almost no one believed in him.

Juan Bernat opened the scoring for PSG against LiverpoolGetty Images