Andrea Pirlo is an Italian former professional footballer. Pirlo was usually deployed as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield for both his club and national teams and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever exponents of this position due to his vision, ball control, technique, creativity and passing ability, as well as for being a free-kick specialist.
Accomplishments:
Andrea Pirlo won a plethora of trophies, including two UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, two Serie A titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, a Supercoppa Italiana, and a Coppa Italia. After joining Juventus on a free transfer in 2011, who had gone trophyless since 2003, he added four more Serie A titles, which he won consecutively, as well as two Supercoppa Italiana titles, and a Coppa Italia.
Pirlo is the fifth-most capped player in the history of the Italian national team with 116 caps between 2002 and 2015. He played for the Italian youth teams at U15, U18 and U21 level, captaining and leading the latter to victory in the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as the Golden Player and Top Scorer of the tournament. He joined the Italian senior team in September 2002 and captained the Olympic team to a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics. Later, he was instrumental in the senior team’s victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was named Man of the Match three times, including the final, more than any other player in the tournament, and ultimately won the Bronze Ball (awarded to the third best player of the tournament) also being elected to the Team of the Tournament. He was also elected as part of the UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament after leading Italy to the final, winning three Man of the Match awards in the process, the most of any player along with Andrés Iniesta. He has also represented the Italian senior team at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and the 2009 and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cups, finishing third in the latter edition in Brazil, where he was also elected to the Team of the Tournament.
He placed fourth in the 2012 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and seventh in the 2015 edition. He placed seventh in the 2007 FIFA World Player, fifth in the 2007 Ballon d’Or and seventh in the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or award. He was also named as part of the 2006 FIFPro World XI and the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, Pirlo was also elected as Serie A Footballer of the Year and was also named as part of the Serie A team of the Year.
Tactical Analysis:
Let’s talk about the tactical gameplay of the Italian legend, he is considered one of the top players because of his impact on and off the pitch, with and without the ball.
Off the ball movement: Pirlo is one of those few palyers who can create a big impact without even touching the ball. He created open space for his teammates to make a run for the goal and created all sorts of issues for opposition full back.
SCANNING SPACE: He played with the presence of mind and always scanned the pitch and continuously looked for the gaps between the opposition defensive line. Thus looking for an opening to attack the opposition goal. He scanned his surroundings and know the positins of the opponents and estimated the time he’ll have on the ball.
Creating passing lanes: One of the strongest qualities of Pirlo is the ability to create passing lanes in tight spaces and making himself available for the pass.
Ball Retention: Pirlo is one of the best when it comes to retaining the ball and resisting the press. He had a magnetic control over the ball and could dribble pass 3,4 players at a time.
Weaknesses:
Pirlo’s physical attributes are not remarkable, although what he lacks in pace, strength and height, he makes up for in intelligence and guile.
Soccer Stars 