Head-2-Head: Dzeko and Bernardeschi the focal points in attack

Eight years and almost 200 goals separating them: numerically this is what the difference between Edin Dzeko and Federico Bernardeschi boils down to.

It's a hefty gap, but it still doesn't even begin to outline the profiles of the two forwards for Roma and Fiorentina.

The one thing they do have in common is the Stadio Olimpico pitch, where they'll be playing on Tuesday evening at 20:45 CET in Week 23 of Serie A 2016-17.

THE GOALS

Despite both playing in attack, they are two completely different players. Let's start off with their positions: Dzeko is a centre-forward and Bernardeschi plays on the wing or as an attacking midfielder.

Then there are the goals: Dzeko has 22 this season, split between Serie A (15), the Europa League (five) and the Coppa Italia (two); Bernardeschi has scored nine in the league, one in Europe and one in the Coppa Italia to make 11.

The lad from Carrara in Tuscany has already beaten his best-ever goal haul for a campaign (six in 2015-16) with just under half of the season still to go.

AND MORE BESIDES

Their assists help us to understand how much these two players contribute to their respective teams: seven this campaign for the Roma striker, four for the Fiorentina man. These stats speak of properly creative attacking players, who are blessed with great technical ability that shows in their vision, instinct and tactical intelligence.

Dzeko uses his body more; Bernardeschi is more unpredictable. The former prefers to link up with his team-mates, both through short passes and long balls, while the latter starts wide and looks to make it to the touchline where he'll cross the ball or cut it back for a striker or midfielder to come on to.

THE ACHIEVEMENTS

The two players carry significant weight in their changing rooms. Edin Dzeko is right back in form this year after a season below his own expectations and his previous achievements, which speak for themselves: two Premier League titles, one F.A. Cup, one League Cup, one Community Shield, one Bundesliga title and a Golden Boot winner in Germany.

This is an undeniable honours list for one of the best and most complete strikers in the world. There hasn't been a forward like him in the Italian capital since the days of Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella.

THE CRITICS

You might feel like saying that he's got a mistake in him and he could do more than what he's doing now. The criticism bounces off Edin just like his opponents, as he continues to find the net like never before in his career.

He recently opened up about his critics in an interview with newspaper Il Messaggero: "I can remember what I've been through and I often think that if I play well for the entire game and then mess up one chance, everything talks about the missed goal and nothing else."

THE TALENT

Federico Bernardeschi is a silent leader. Born in 1994, he climbed the ranks at the Fiorentina youth academy before going out on loan for a season at Crotone, the perfect club for developing young talent and turning them into proper players (think Alessandro Florenzi).

At just 19 years of age, he scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for the Calabrian club. He came back to Florence and went straight to the heart of Montella's plans, although an injury to his ankle then ruled him out.

Under Paulo Sousa he's shown that he's worthy of the No.10 shirt.

VIOLA FOR LIFE?

Fiorentina's fanbase view Bernardeschi as the new Giancarlo Antognoni, who has recently returned to the club as a director.

"Be a Viola player for life like him? I do have that thought; I won't hide it," revealed the young star.

He'll have to deal with his suitors in England, where they insist various Premier League clubs are ready to pull out all the stops for his signature.