The importance of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus

The art of passing

Why is Pirlo important to this team tactically?

Long gone are the days with Aquilani and Melo in the team, both struggling to find consistency in their performances for the Black and White.

While the former lacked the required physicality and the latter was a hot head, the Bianconeri found the right man to replace two players. Pirlo is a formidable member of the Juventus team, a player whose name is first on the team sheet after the custodian captain.

Playing his usual role of a deep lying playmaker, the use of Pirlo’s position is maximized in the 3-5-2 system that Conte employs. The composure on the ball that he provides is just fabulous.

However, he can sometimes lose the ball in a compromising position due to this over-calmness, one instance of which saw Alaba’s deflected shot go in against Bayern. But it is hardly his mistake if the receiver that he looks to find cannot be found because of tight marking at the time by the rival team.

Pirlo cannot be blamed for a tactic employed by the challenging team to over-mark or constantly mark every player, thus putting continuous pressure.

It is a tactic that can be combated by devising a plan to deal with such a circumstance. That was done supremely when Conte pulled Oscar out of the game completely in the second leg against Chelsea in last year’s group stage game.

Oscar marked Pirlo brilliantly in the first leg and was the man of the match, but in the second leg he was required for mostly defensive duties, which for a player of his calibre is wasteful. Similarly, against Celtic, the 34-year-old midfielder took three players out of the game, creating spaces for Juventus to penetrate.

The most important of Pirlo’s abilities is his movement. Yes, his off the ball movement. Not the movement that is similar to the striker that will get him goals, but the movement that he portrays in and around the midfield.

It is far from simple! He is the tip of any triangle of players formed in the Juventus team. From playing in triangles with Bonucci and Barzagli, to starring in those of Marchisio or Pogba and Vidal, his role has been very important to the team structurally.

He brings players into the game, thereby ensuring the best from players who may even seem absent. Apart from this, his usual killer “dink” passes that he provides are unmatched.

Another notable point is his ability to take set pieces. Since del Piero has been axed, Pirlo is the only experienced set piece taker in the starting line-up. The only other possible alternative is Giovinco, with the likes of Vidal and Tevez providing no assurance.

‘The Professor’ has completed over 4,500 accurate passes since joining Juve, which is close to a significant 2000 passes per season in his two seasons.

With an average of 90 successful passes per game with a passing accuracy of over 85%, his precision passing and passing under pressure are what make him different.

When Pirlo has a bad game, Juventus fail to perform to their best. Such is the dependence on Pirlo by this team; and make no mistake, it is going to take a toll on any coach’s mind to find a replacement.

Pirlo at the center forming triangles

Why is Pirlo important to this team psychologically?

The #21 fame! A number previously worn by Zidane at Juventus, and now worn by the Mozart, it is the number behind most of the Italian supporters, whether it is for country or club.

Pirlo is a player that induces fear into any opposing team, a player that is targeted first by Juve’s opponents .

He relieves the tension that is present in the outfield. Pirlo is the only player in this Juventus team apart from Carlos Tevez to have won the Champions League, so it should be the primary goal for Juventus to retain him if they are to challenge for the European Cup.

Pirlo is also the most experienced player in Europe, with the most number of Champions League appearances in this present team. The Maestro is no newcomer to the nerves that the Champions League provides since he has played in three Champions League finals, one Euro final and a World Cup final.

Pirlo and Buffon are the most inspiring members of the Bianconeri. With Buffon at goal, the players in the dressing room will look to Pirlo for motivation.

Provided Marrone comes back from loan, Pirlo can groom him and Pogba to be successful midfielders for the reigning Italian champions.