On Monday afternoon, a light training session at Juventus Stadium ended with the squad split into two teams for one final drill. Played between one side in green and another in black, Max Allegri encouraged quick touches and intense pressing, clearly preparing for the challenge of Barcelona.
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In the middle of the pitch wearing the only blue bib, one man was allowed to exchanges passes with players on both teams. It will surprise no-one to learn that it was of course Andrea Pirlo, the bearded genius who has been at the heart of the best Italian midfields for over a decade, during which he has helped both his club and country to win almost every conceivable domestic and international honour.
Indeed, as Juve celebrate their fourth consecutive league title, the 36-year-old’s personal tally now stands at five, lifting the Scudetto with Milan in 2011 before joining the Turin giants later that summer.
Xavi: “I have had many duels with @Pirlo_official – he’s the best in Italy.” #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/cfbdBUZMtn
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 5, 2015
During that training drill, it was somewhat fitting to see him beside Allegri in the middle of the pitch, as this past summer saw him reunited with the man viewed as being widely responsible for Pirlo’s San Siro exit.
The coach was appointed the day after Antonio Conte’s shock resignation, and many wondered how he and the 2006 World Cup winner would co-exist, as the midfielder had made his displeasure at the way Milan had treated him painfully clear.
Writing in his autobiography ‘I Think Therefore I Play’, Pirlo said Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told him that Allegri believed he could no longer occupy a central role in front of the defence.
Having spent his entire career making that role his own, Pirlo believed that he would be like a fish out of water in a new role on the left, saying that “if the sea is deep a fish can breathe.”
Allegri was wrong about Pirlo, had the maturity to recognize it and go forward with the player, and now Juve is going for a treble.
— Soccer Translator (@worldfootballcm) May 30, 2015
The relationship between player and coach was one of a number of reasons Allegri’s arrival at Juventus was met with huge scepticism by supporters and observers alike. Both men have shown incredible maturity, and their willingness to put the past behind them speaks volumes about their individual characters.
At his inaugural press conference, Allegri said he felt “lucky enough to be able to work with him again,” and the two have clearly put their differences behind them.
Speaking last month, Pirlo said Allegri “has brought us some much needed calmness” and said their shared Champions League experience at Milan had undoubtedly helped this season. So too has the undeniable quality of Pirlo, remaining in that central role and thriving in the club’s march to what will be their eighth appearance in Europe’s most prestigious fixture.
After missing the last 16 win over Borussia Dortmund, he returned in their quarter-final clash with Monaco and despite being man-marked throughout, managed to make a decisive contribution.
Leonardo Jardim’s well-drilled side had clearly prepared to isolate Pirlo and deny him the ball, but his intelligence and reading of the game eventually came to the fore. Popping up in a wide area, it was his delightful ball to Alvaro Morata that saw the Spanish striker hauled down, Arturo Vidal netting the resulting penalty which proved to be the only goal of the tie.
Gareth Bale attempted to shadow Pirlo in a similar manner in the semi-finals, but the Italian would once again be one step ahead, dragging the Welshman away from the action and ensuring he could not contribute to Real Madrid’s attack.
While those clashes saw him display other facets of his game, the ‘keep calm and pass to Pirlo’ mantra which that training drill so clearly showcased remains as prevalent as ever, with no Juventus player having enjoyed as many touches of the ball this season.
Bagging five assists, he has dominated possession whenever Juve have the ball, quickly assessing the situation and seemingly always making the right pass. He is beloved by fans everywhere, calling to mind a comment by former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli who once said that “Pirlo brings people together because he is football, he’s the essence of the game.”
“It’s a unique and special game,” said Pirlo who could be playing in his last game for the club with rumours of a switch to New York City FC. “We all know what we have to do. Barcelona are favourites, but anything can happen.”
That may be true but, just as he was during that practice match, there is little doubt that Andrea Pirlo will remain at the centre of attention throughout.
