The former AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 boss mentioned that he was the one who opted to play the midfielder in the role he has excelled in for so long, and heaped praise on the legend.
Andrea Pirlo has been in scintillating form ever since he moved to the Old Lady from rivals http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
The Italian international moved from AC Milan to the Turin giants in the summer of 2011 on a free transfer, and has been deemed as the bargain of the season.
Pirlo has been the key in progress of Antonio Conte’s men, and has given consistent performances throughout the season. Before his move in the Bianconeri colours, the veteran plied his trade for AC Milan,
where he developed his name. He was deployed in the midfield lying playmaking capacity by former San Siro boss, Carlo Ancelotti, and Mazzone was quick to state that he had the vision of installing the player in that position.
The veteran Giallorossi boss suggested that Pirlo was comfortable playing in the position behind the striker. Mazzone was giving an interview to Tuttosport and he was quoted to have stated:
“Pirlo is a great player. He suffered when he was fielded as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers. As a result, I decided to change his role, I placed him as a playmaker in front of the defence.”
Mazzone, who turned 72 yesterday, remarked that he was laughed at when he told the role of Pirlo to his team. However, he insisted Pirlo to keep with the holding playmaker position. He further commented:
“We were at Brescia and the squad laughed with what I had found. But I forced the team to always give him the ball and told him to take the ball off his teammates. As a deep-lying playmaker he has become
what he is and has won everything.”
The Lombardy born midfielder made his way through the Brescia youth system and broke into the senior team by 1995. The midfielder was then snapped up by Internazionale; however it was not until his move back
to Brescia under the management of Mazzone that Pirlo blossomed into the player he is now.
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