I gave a better impression of myself '“ Brighton left-back Bernardo

Bernardo in action against Leicester on Saturday. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

The 23-year-old joined Brighton from Red Bull Leipzig for a reported £9m fee in the summer but struggled on his debut as Albion lost 2-0 at Watford on the opening day of the season. His only Premier League game time since then had been 22 minutes as a substitute in the 1-0 win at Newcastle in October.

Bernardo was named the sponsor’s man of the match at the Amex on Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Leicester and the Brazilian was pleased with his performance.

He said: “Compared to the first match, today was a much better impression of myself. I don’t think it’s the best one still, I can develop more, I can show more but it’s a better impression.

“There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders. For many weeks I was thinking that when I get my chance I need to perform because otherwise nothing will change. Every single player has these kind of thoughts when you’re not playing. You want to play.

“My first match was not good, so as soon as possible I wanted to change the impression. I’m the only one who knows what I’m capable of doing but it’s not every single day things work the way you want them to.

“There are bad days and it can happen that you have two bad matches in a sequence. I had a bad day at Watford and could have had a bad day today. This is a high level of competition, so bad days can happen more often than in other places.

“I was a bit worried as every professional wants to do a good job and also worries what other people think about you.

“I wanted to change the image I left on that match (at Watford). I waited a long time for this day and I think I did a good job.”

Bernardo added he feels more prepared for the Premier League now and is working hard to improve: “It’s a different game than I was used to in Germany.

“It was important for me to focus and understand I had to change some things to be successful here and I think I’ve developed since that match at Watford.

"I’m working hard every single day to be a better player.”

Bernardo admitted it was a frustrating afternoon on Saturday as ten-man Leicester fought back to draw 1-1 at the Amex.

Glenn Murray headed Albion into a 15th-minute lead, before the visitors were reduced to ten men on 28 minutes. James Maddison had already been booked when he was shown a second yellow card for diving in the penalty area. Leicester equalised 11 minutes from time when substitute Jamie Vardy scored from the penalty spot after Beram Kayal fouled Kelechi Iheanacho.

Bernardo said: “It was frustrating, especially with the circumstances. Having one player more and after a good first half, we had everything to get the points so that’s why there’s a bit of frustration.

“Even with one player less, they are a very strong team. They came out better in the second half and maybe they deserved their point but it’s a lesson to learn for us.”

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