Against quicker teams like Madrid I would say so, but not necessarily useless in general. It does seem like his time at the very top level is winding down though, but who knows he might rediscover himself for another couple years after international retirement.
If you don't think he's underperforming at all whatsoever, then I wonder if you've actually been watching the matches or just reading the stats afterwards. Anyone with eyes can see he's been declining this season, except for a few occasional glimpses of his usual self.
If you don't think he's underperforming at all whatsoever, then I wonder if you've actually been watching the matches or just reading the stats afterwards. Anyone with eyes can see he's been declining this season, except for a few occasional glimpses of his usual self.
Our opponents are using new tactic against us - one of their forwards/midfielders man marks Pirlo for 90 minutes and giving him some problems whenever he is with the ball, even Benzema was doing it, to resolve this problem Conte should show some games on TV of Italy NT to Vidal/Marchisio/Pogba etc. when Gattuso/De Rossi were playing near Pirlo and were protecting him from any fucker who was about to press on him, in many situations Pirlo is absolutely alone and it's huge problem