Andrea Pirlo (115 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mark
- Start date
- Tags the goat of midfield
, I love how he like many other English football fans feel that they have a claim on all the greatest players. They all must go to England and play.
Sorry if this was already posted...
Pirlo braced for Germany test
Unlike England, Germany can threaten us, says Italy maestro
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7843522/
Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo expects Germany to offer a far greater threat than England in their Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday.
Pirlo was the pivotal figure in Sunday's quarter-final victory over the Three Lions on penalties, dominating the game with his passing before converting a cheekily chipped spot-kick.
And while he admits the Azzurri will be hoping to produce a similar performance against the Germans, he acknowledges it will be a very different game.
"Our approach to the game against Germany will be the same as against England," said the 33-year-old.
"This is the only way we can play. But unlike England, Germany can create many threats to our defence.
"England played a very prudent and careful way. They were sitting back all the match, like Chelsea did in the Champions League final.
"They tried to keep that same shape. For them going to the penalty shoot-out was a good result."
It did not prove such a good result for England in the end and Pirlo was not guilty of false modesty when assessing the importance of his penalty.
"It was really relevant to the match and our win," he added. "This (penalty) changed the course of the match.
"(Joe) Hart seemed to be very confident in himself and I needed to do something to beat him. Penalties are a very personal thing and it seemed to be a psychological blow."
Ballon d'Or
It has been suggested that an Italy triumph at Euro 2012 would put Pirlo in contention to win the Ballon d'Or following his central role in helping Juventus go unbeaten through the Serie A season to lift the title.
But having been overlooked in favour of Italy team-mate Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, despite claiming the man of the match award in the World Cup final, Pirlo is not expecting the award.
And the midfielder knows he will not get the same space he enjoyed against England when he faces Germany.
"It is impossible for me to win the Ballon D'Or because Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo score 70 goals a year," he said.
"There have been many games in the past when I've had as much possession as against England.
"In football it happens.
"The difference is against Germany, whereas Wayne Rooney stayed further up I expect Mesut Ozil to be a great threat in and around the areas where I am playing, even though he will not necessarily do a man-marking job on me."
Pirlo braced for Germany test
Unlike England, Germany can threaten us, says Italy maestro
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7843522/
Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo expects Germany to offer a far greater threat than England in their Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday.
Pirlo was the pivotal figure in Sunday's quarter-final victory over the Three Lions on penalties, dominating the game with his passing before converting a cheekily chipped spot-kick.
And while he admits the Azzurri will be hoping to produce a similar performance against the Germans, he acknowledges it will be a very different game.
"Our approach to the game against Germany will be the same as against England," said the 33-year-old.
"This is the only way we can play. But unlike England, Germany can create many threats to our defence.
"England played a very prudent and careful way. They were sitting back all the match, like Chelsea did in the Champions League final.
"They tried to keep that same shape. For them going to the penalty shoot-out was a good result."
It did not prove such a good result for England in the end and Pirlo was not guilty of false modesty when assessing the importance of his penalty.
"It was really relevant to the match and our win," he added. "This (penalty) changed the course of the match.
"(Joe) Hart seemed to be very confident in himself and I needed to do something to beat him. Penalties are a very personal thing and it seemed to be a psychological blow."
Ballon d'Or
It has been suggested that an Italy triumph at Euro 2012 would put Pirlo in contention to win the Ballon d'Or following his central role in helping Juventus go unbeaten through the Serie A season to lift the title.
But having been overlooked in favour of Italy team-mate Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, despite claiming the man of the match award in the World Cup final, Pirlo is not expecting the award.
And the midfielder knows he will not get the same space he enjoyed against England when he faces Germany.
"It is impossible for me to win the Ballon D'Or because Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo score 70 goals a year," he said.
"There have been many games in the past when I've had as much possession as against England.
"In football it happens.
"The difference is against Germany, whereas Wayne Rooney stayed further up I expect Mesut Ozil to be a great threat in and around the areas where I am playing, even though he will not necessarily do a man-marking job on me."
Memories of 16-year-old star Pirlo
By Football Italia staff
Andrea Pirlo has won over Europe with his performances, but Eugenio Corini remembers “on his debut aged 16 we knew a star had been born.”
The Italy midfielder’s Man of the Match performance and audacious chipped penalty against England has seen him hit the headlines.
“I remember his Serie A debut in Reggiana-Brescia in 1995. He always was destined for greatness,” former Chievo and Palermo midfielder Corini told TMW.
“That year I was playing for Brescia and there was this lad who everyone described as a phenomenon.
“In training he already showed immense quality and at the end of the season he made his debut in a game against Reggiana, aged just 16. That day, we were all fully aware that a star had been born.”
It was May 21 1995 with Pirlo making his Serie A bow just two days after his 16th birthday, becoming Brescia’s youngest ever debutant.
“The most impressive thing about Andrea is his tactical wisdom. He’s not just about technique, but has the ability to make everyone play better and bring balance to the team.
“He is a unique player and the best in the world in his role.”
The chipped penalty over Joe Hart in the shoot-out left many stunned.
“I heard some say it was a crazy gesture, but I think it was a clear manifestation of his talent and clear head in that moment.
“He is totally secure of his abilities and can transmit that sense of belief and confidence to his teammates too.”
Italy will now face Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday.
“Now that they are here, Italy are capable of just about anything,” continued Corini.
“I saw a good Nazionale against England and think they can repeat the performance with the Germans.
“Mario Balotelli was very concentrated in attack and always at the centre of the action despite a few errors.
“If I were Cesare Prandelli, I’d confirm the partnership between Mario and Antonio Cassano, keeping the Antonio Di Natale card up his sleeve for the second half.”
By Football Italia staff
Andrea Pirlo has won over Europe with his performances, but Eugenio Corini remembers “on his debut aged 16 we knew a star had been born.”
The Italy midfielder’s Man of the Match performance and audacious chipped penalty against England has seen him hit the headlines.
“I remember his Serie A debut in Reggiana-Brescia in 1995. He always was destined for greatness,” former Chievo and Palermo midfielder Corini told TMW.
“That year I was playing for Brescia and there was this lad who everyone described as a phenomenon.
“In training he already showed immense quality and at the end of the season he made his debut in a game against Reggiana, aged just 16. That day, we were all fully aware that a star had been born.”
It was May 21 1995 with Pirlo making his Serie A bow just two days after his 16th birthday, becoming Brescia’s youngest ever debutant.
“The most impressive thing about Andrea is his tactical wisdom. He’s not just about technique, but has the ability to make everyone play better and bring balance to the team.
“He is a unique player and the best in the world in his role.”
The chipped penalty over Joe Hart in the shoot-out left many stunned.
“I heard some say it was a crazy gesture, but I think it was a clear manifestation of his talent and clear head in that moment.
“He is totally secure of his abilities and can transmit that sense of belief and confidence to his teammates too.”
Italy will now face Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday.
“Now that they are here, Italy are capable of just about anything,” continued Corini.
“I saw a good Nazionale against England and think they can repeat the performance with the Germans.
“Mario Balotelli was very concentrated in attack and always at the centre of the action despite a few errors.
“If I were Cesare Prandelli, I’d confirm the partnership between Mario and Antonio Cassano, keeping the Antonio Di Natale card up his sleeve for the second half.”
:tongue:
