Antonio Conte (326 Viewers)

[Scottish]

Pirlo was top 5 players in the world level that first season under Conte and into Euro 2012.

For me he should have been seriously in the running for the Ballon d'Or that year. Being the most important player in a team which completed an unbeaten season after finishing in 7th place twice in row and all that after being discarded by Milan as a dud. He then continued his form into the Euros as you say. The most important player in an Italy team which exceeded all expectations and made it to the final.

Not even a whisper, although his worldwide recognition and appeal did seem to increase as a result.

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[Bianconero_Aus]

Verratti is obviously a really good young player, but he still lacks a bit in a few things for my liking. He keeps things ticking brilliantly in midfield for PSG, his short passing in fantastic, he's strong on the ball, aggressive, not afraid to get stuck in and has very smooth technique, but he just doesn't score/assist enough IMO. Granted he has improved this season (in terms of assists), but I like my midfields to be able to be quite prolific as well. And because he is so tenacious generally, he is also a walking yellow/red card. Still plenty more to go for him to be compared to Pirlo or even Pogba. But I have no doubt in a few years time he can get close to that level.

JUST MY OPINION /end DUKAC mode

 

[Hist]

"When [Andrea] Pirlo and [Daniele] De Rossi are here, it's normal that they should play"

This italian mentality... It's nice and all, but this is professional sports and just because they have those names doesn't mean they automaticly should play. That is one of the reasons why these guys plays until 38 and in starting lineups in biggest italian teams.

Another reason is because Pirlo is still the best deep-lying playmaker in the world.

 

[king Ale]

You disagree?

What Matt said. De Rossi has been average for a long time now.

 

[Azzurri7]

how many coaches did verratti had? like 3?

And one of them was Zeman.

 

[Klin]

What Matt said. De Rossi has been average for a long time now.

And Pirlo hasn't?

 

[icemaη]

Pirlo has been average this season, De Rossi hasn't been relevant since 2011 or so.

 

[Osman]

Marchisio has been better then De Rossi for like 2 years now, and some talk about wether or not ageing and more inconistent then usual Pirlo isnt better or not.


But yeah clearly Verratti is best all around midfielder for Italy, closely followed by a supremely consistent and alot more reliable Marchisio. Give the nod to Verratti not just for the obvious better skills, but he seriously stepped up in several big games in CL for 2 CL seasons now, completely shamed opponents like Fabregas our the declining Barca midfielders with his performances. He is defenitely one of the top few best in the game in his position currently. Would prolly start for all midfields except Reals right now (Modric > everyone else for me), and maybe Bayern since Xabi is so reliable right now.

 

[blondu]

marchisio is the new de rossi

 

[Klin]

Pirlo has been average this season, De Rossi hasn't been relevant since 2011 or so.

Yes, but that's irrelevant when we;re talking about this year's Italy squad.

 

[Osman]

For some reason De Rossi is usually quite good for Italy though, so his Roma poor performances there is somewhat irrelevant for Italy.

 

[the mentalist]

marchisio is the new de rossi

i hope not , de rossi isn't a top class

 

[Tommy]

Allegri might be a better coach than Conte.

But he'll never be as cool as STREET CONTE.

 

[Raz]

Another reason is because Pirlo is still the best deep-lying playmaker in the world.

Pirlo is has been. He's a legend so he will have those one moments of brilliants, but consistently he's just average now.

 

[AFL_ITALIA]

Should be Marchisio, Verratti, and De Rossi all starting in midfield imo.

 

[Ocelot]

Pirlo is has been. He's a legend so he will have those one moments of brilliants, but consistently he's just average now.

Average is a bit of an understatement in my eyes. It's just that he's not worldclass anymore, just good, and in all probability not ever going to improve anymore.

 

[Raz]

Average is a bit of an understatement in my eyes. It's just that he's not worldclass anymore, just good, and in all probability not ever going to improve anymore.

Yeah ok, average is probably a bit too much, but my point is that he's not the legendary pirlo anymore. He has those moments of his, but throughout the season and throughout a game you will be getting them fewer and fewer between, while the rest of the time he can be from good to a liability.

What I would use him is in situations where his assets are needed, not like Veratti said that if you're name is Pirlo you have to play, which seems it's the case here if he's healthy.

 

[Hist]

Pirlo is far from an average player and is definitely world class. Sure he is not the same pirlo from 3 years ago but he was already way better than anybody else so that he can lose some of his magic and stay the best. He has been less influential since we changed formation as that gives him a less instrumental role in the team, but throughout our 3-5-2 era he has been the best deep-lying-playmaker in the world. Play to his strengths and you'll get consistent very good performances.

Even in his "average" season and in a formation that exposes his weaknesses and undermine his strengths, he single handedly gave us what 9 points?
Pirlo over verratti anyday as long as its in a 3-5-2.

 

[Hydde]

Verrati also was one fo bright spots of Italy`s horrid World cup

 

[Raz]

Pirlo is far from an average player and is definitely world class. Sure he is not the same pirlo from 3 years ago but he was already way better than anybody else so that he can lose some of his magic and stay the best. He has been less influential since we changed formation as that gives him a less instrumental role in the team, but throughout our 3-5-2 era he has been the best deep-lying-playmaker in the world. Play to his strengths and you'll get consistent very good performances.

Even in his "average" season and in a formation that exposes his weaknesses and undermine his strengths, he single handedly gave us what 9 points?
Pirlo over verratti anyday as long as its in a 3-5-2.

Are you calling freekicks as single handedly won points?