An in-form Pirlo can bring back European glory to AC Milan
The name of Andrea Pirlo needs no introduction. The Brescia youth product has been one of the best midfielders of the last decade. Following his impressive outings at Brescia Calcio, Inter Milan signed the player in 1998 but the playmaker couldn’t break
in to the starting eleven. Pirlo was eventually loaned out to Reggina and Brescia in successive seasons before Milan realised the raw talent in the player. Inter Milan thought they had made a huge profit after pocketing close to 18 million Euros in transfer
fees but Rossoneri had the last laugh.
Carlo Ancelotti was so impressed with the outrageous passing range that Pirlo possesses, he tailor made a position for him deep in the midfield. From a position where a defensive midfielder normally plays, Pirlo would spray the ball around the pitch with
ruthless efficiency. His ability to cut out the opposition midfield with his ‘over the top’ through balls has become stuff of legends at San Siro. Something the oppositions just couldn’t cope with. AC Milan’s UEFA Champions League triumphs of 2003 and 2007
were built around the playmaking skills of Pirlo as much as anything.
With the Azzurri squad of 2006, Pirlo had a very similar role. With the terrier bulldog that was Gattuso protecting him, the playmaker outwitted and out passed all opposition en-route to Azzurri’s World cup triumph. Pirlo with his success had simply become
a legend and his importance to Rossoneri cause was all more highlighted. Sadly for the Milanisti however, Gattuso lost his legs. The desire to win was there but his legs just couldn’t take it. Andrea Pirlo was so accustomed to his friend harassing the opponents
off him, he just couldn’t perform anywhere near to his lofty standards.
Part of the blame must rest with the Milan Hierarchy for still playing a Pirlo-Gattuso partnership. Had Milan signed a world class defensive midfielder in the mould of Daniele De Rossi or Micheal Essien, Pirlo would not have been a shadow of his imperious
self for the past three seasons.
Last season, Pirlo put in some impressive performances for the team but the playmaker was plagued by inconsistency. He would play like the Pirlo of old one match day but his next performance would drop down to Sunday league levels. Understandably, Pirlo
would struggle against physical and mobile midfields as such oppositions limit his impact on the game by continuously harassing the Milanese talisman. Pirlo’s natural lack of pace didn’t help him either.
This season however, Pirlo has found his lost groove. The midfield maestro seems to have finally adjusted to playing without world class defensive covering. IL architetto started the season slowly but with each passing game, the midfielder is looking better
and better. Indeed his last few appearances were reminiscent of a playmaker that dazzled the crowds at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The current AC Milan squad does not have the quality to match the Rossoneri classes of 2003 and 2005. Those teams were truly legendary and creating a squad of such calibre would take Milan considerable time. However, Milan still has a world-class team provided
all the first choice starting eleven remain fit. If Massimiliano Allegri plays his cards right and rests the key players before critical Champions League ties, there is not stopping AC Milan from going deep in to the competition.
Rossoneri fans will be hopeful Pirlo keeps his sparkling form for the later stages of the continental competition. We all know too well how deadly accurate an in-form Pirlo can be, not to forget the extraterrestrial vision he is blessed with. With an inform
Pirlo and Ibrahimovic with his big shooting boots on, AC Milan can go all the way in the UEFA Champions League and one gets the feeling they might just deny Real Madrid their 10th big eared trophy.
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