Brighton full-back Bernardo admits that his side are huge underdogs as they face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday evening.
The Seagulls are 22/1 to win the game with some bookmakers and Brighton full-back Bernardo concedes that the game will be tough given City’s qualities.
In an interview with Goal Brasil, Bernardo said, “It’s difficult. Let’s see, but it will be a great game anyway. It is very clear that we are the underdogs. I think maybe a lot of people expected us not to make it to the semi-finals.
“But if we look at the games we played in the competition, we really exceeded expectations. The last game, against Milwall, for me was perhaps the most iconic game of my career, because we were 2 goals down and we took it to extra time.
“So everything can happen in football, so it’s a sport that people like so much. It is where the impossible can always happen and in this match can happen the same. The pressure is all on them, we have no expectation at all, we can play more relaxed.”
Bernardo says it is the variety in Manchester City’s attack, as well as the quality, that will cause his side problems at Wembley on Saturday.
“For our fans it’s already a big party, they can go to Wembley after more than 30 years, so the expectation is to play a good game, enjoy the moment and see what happens.
“Each attacker has a different characteristic. One is more technical, like Bernardo Silva, the other is faster, like Sterling, the other is more creative, like De Bruyne. You have to be prepared for everything (laughs), but it’s hard to prepare.
“I’m happy, I’m not afraid, I have no kind of apprehension to face these players. I came here to stand out, to prove that I can be one of the best defenders and nothing is better than to face these players.
“So for me it’s a great motivation. Like I said, the pressure is all of them, they need to do something more. I’m very calm. You have to be prepared for a little bit of everything.” Bernardo says he has not contemplated winning the club’s first FA Cup just yet though, even if they do manage to upset the odds against City.
“I think step by step. Many times when you visualize something, things tend to happen to you. I’ve already visualized us beating City, for example. But I think the final is a step a little further, a difficult step. This I still did not imagine, but to win against Manchester City is logical and already I imagined, already I visualized, because I think it is important- it attracts good energy.”
Brighton and City go head to head on Saturday evening, with Watford playing against Wolves in the other semi-final on Sunday. Brighton have never won the cup, having lost the final in 1983.
