Andrea Pirlo the terrorist kicker.
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| Andrea Pirlo |
Andrea Pirlo was an Italian midfielder who played for Milan and Juventus. He is a footballer who didn't leave his country but he remained inside the boundaries. He was unstoppable and made every goalkeeper nervous when it was time to shoot. He won many tournaments such as Champions League Euro Cup, World Cup and surely in Serie A.
THE BEGINNING
Andrea Pirlo was borned in Flero so he started his career at Brescia's academies. As Sotiris Ninis (look out my previous post) he made his debut when he was 16 years old against Reggiana. He became Brecia's youngest player. He did not appear again in 1995-1996 season however, he made a solid game in his debut.
When he joined again to Brescia main squad the football club from Flero was in Serie B. Well, thanks to him and some others players Brescia promoted to Seria A. He scored for first time (Serie A) against Vicenza which lost 4-0 on 1997
On 1998 things changed for Andrea. Inter's offers were accepted by Brescia and finally Pirlo entered to Inter Milano roster. Although he failed to impress in his first season in Inter's squad.Micrea Lucescu, Inter's coach, loan young Pirlo to Reggiana. After a successful season and many impressive appearances he returned to Inter but, he was too young and he didn't have got the experience to play so he loaned to Brescia. In his return to his former club he had the chance and the honour to play with his childhood idol, Roberto Baggio.
Brescia's coach made an experiment. He "transformed" Pirlo by a mildfielder to a deep lying playmaker. He created a position exactly for Andrea Pirlo. In his time to Brescia there is a memorial highlight that Brescia's fans would remember until the end of their life. That is Pirlo's long pass to Roberto Baggio. He made a great assist and the veteran Italian striker equalised the match against Juventus.
FROM INTER TO MILAN
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| From Inter... |
Inter didn't appreciate Pirlo's talent and as a psychologist stated:" Whenever you ignore something that could change deeply your life, another is here to take it from your hands". That verified at Inter's situation. Neragguri enemies, most hated competitor Milan "stole" Pirlo. Carlo Anchelotti perfected Pirlo. His kicking ability and Carlos Anchelotti experience created a "creature" with a powerful shoot and great awareness.
At Milan Andrea had for teammates players like Rivaldo,Rui Costa, Kaka ,Pato and Gatusso. Thanks to their support Pirlo evolved and became an international fame player. They called him metronome because he was organising and giving the rhythm
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| ...to Milan |
He generally made his debut on 2001 against BATE Borishov. Milan won 2-0 and after many time Milan ended to the semi-finals. He first appeared in Serie A with Rossoneri colours against Parma and score a goal in 3-1 Milan's victory. The goal was a free-kick.
One year later (2002-2003 season) Milan ended 3rd and won Roma in the Copa Italian final. Except that,Milan won in UEFA Champions League final the another Italian football club, Juventus. In the 2 halfs both of the clubs scored no goals. In extra time neither Juventus nor Milan scored, so the referee decided to go on penalties.
Milan was the lucky one and shoot first. Shevchenko scored from 11m. Exactly the same did Allesandro De Piero. Nesta made the score 1-2 for AC Milan. Dida(Milan's goalkeeper) made a great safe in Montero's shot but, Kalazde failed to win Buffon. Juventu's Zalayeta and Milan's Seedrof missed the penalties. Birindelli shot and equalised the match but, Serginho gave to Milan the trophy. That was one more trophy for the Italian club.
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| Milan took her revenge from Liverpool. |
One of the worst times in his career would undoubtedly be UEFA Champions League final on 2005 when Liverpool overturned all the match in the second half. For more information read my blog about Steven Gerrard. Pirlo assisted the 1st of the 3 Milan's goals and Liverpool's goalkeeper saved his penalty. Also in the same year Milan was runner up in Serie A but, Pirlo was first in assists at Italian league and European League(UCL).
After 2 years from the best final of the ages Milan faced Liverpool again. Everyone knew what happened in Instabul , Pirlo would never let to happen again. On 45' Filipo Inzaghi scored and pulled ahead AC Milan. After a harsh hour Inzaghi scored again on 89'. Liverpool's captain gave hopes to Reds on 89' but it was too late for Liverpool. Wonders happens only one time. Final score AC Milan Liverpool= 2-1 the trophy goes to Milan. Just to know the Italian fc have been never beaten in Athens. That was Milan's last UCL trophy ,but you never knows whenever this team will come back.
TRANSFER TO TORIN
First of all Pirlo didn't move to Torino fc but in Juventus. Maybe he never won a Champions League with Juventus but he won all the Serie A cups. He broke a lot of record to. For example he won the most assists and the most appearances awards. He was at Juventus academies for 4 years (2011-2015).
On 2015 he moved to USA for the American championship and more specifically for New York City. He lived the American dream that many footballers decided to choose.Some of them are: Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Patrick Evra etc. 2017 was the year of his retirement. The retirement of a midfielder who when his team won a free kick foul the opposite goalkeepers were stressful.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
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| Pirlo as Italy's captain |
Andrea Pirlo joined to U21 Italy's squad and he became captain. On Euro2004 qualifiers Pirlo made his debut in the main Italy team 2-0 Italy's victory against Azerbaijan. It is easy to imagine that Pirlo scored his first goal by a free-kick against Tunisia. On Euro2004 he had 2 appearances, Italy didn't qualified to round of 16 after a triple equalise. Sweden and Denmark "stole" the European "tour ticket" from Italy's hands.
Italy may haven't success on 2004 but on 2006 she scrambled in the top. First of all in the semi-finals Italy beat Germany 2-0 in extra time. And most dramatically in the end of the game. Pirlo assisted Grosso who scored at 119' and one minute later Alessandro de Piero scored the second goal with his head. Piero broke a record. He scored on the latest minute. No one have ever done it before. France would be the other team who will participate in the finals.
In the final Zinedine Zidane opened the score by penalty on 7'. 12 minutes later Pirlo shoot from the corner and Materazzi equalised the match. The referee blew the end of 90 minutes. The two teams waited anxiously for the extra time. On 110' something excepted happened. Zinedine Zidane used his head to hit an Italy's footballer. The referee sent him off for his act. End of extra time, the match went on penalty shoot. The first penalty was in from Andrea Pirlo. Wiltord gave an answer. Materazzi scored one more time and Trezeguet missed the penalty. Italy took the advantage and De Rosi scored. Eric Abidal made 3-2. De Piero put the ball in the goalpost and next Sangol made 4-3. The ball was in Grosso foot. If he aimed properly Italy would be World Cup winners for 4th time in their history. Dispassionate he scored. End of these brilliant final. Great entertainment for the fans and breathtaking way to win the World Cup.
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| Italy wins 2006 World Cup |
After his lost in the Euro final Italy qualified in the 2014 World Cup. In a group that consisted by Costa Rica, Uruguay and England,Italy did not qualified. She lost from World Cup's surprise Costa Rica and after a harsh game against Uruguay Italy came back to her home. After that shocked exclusion Pirlo announced his retirement. One year later he cried off his promise and participated to 2016 Euro. It was the last time when Pirlo joined to Italy's squad where she lost from Germany on penalties shoot. Although Pirlo retired from football he continued support his lovely team and he was disappointed when Italy did not qualified to 2018 World Cup after her lost against Sweden 1-0. Italy have been participating in World Cups for 54 years.
Milan vs Liverpool 2007
2006 final between France and Italy and Zidane head.
Milan vs Juventus 2003 UCL final.
Milan vs Juventus 2003 UCL final.
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