“ Here we are : Juve - Real in the Champions League final . I say ‘ we ’ because even if this time I will not be on the pitch , I will be the number one supporter , ” the veteran midfielder wrote in a column for La Stampa , the daily based in Juventus’s home city of Turin .
Now playing for New York City FC , Pirlo said he would be racing home after his new club’ s MLS clash with Philadelphia to watch the final on television .
“ I don ’ t think I’ ll be able to sit still , ” he wrote .
Pirlo won four Italian titles in his 2011 - 15 stint at Juventus. He was part of the side that lost 2015 final to Barcelona and the pain lingers still .
“ Sometimes I think back to that night two years ago in Berlin . When you lose a final you find yourself back there in your mind and you ’d love to play it again . Unfortunately for me , I can ’ t do that , but I ’ m happy they can .”
Pirlo , who won European football’ s biggest prize twice with AC Milan , said a Juve triumph would be a fitting honour for club captain Gigi Buffon as the Italy goalkeeper nears the end of his trophy- laden career.
“ I say this as a friend and a former teammate who knows him well – he deserves it, ” Pirlo wrote. “ This is the only thing he’ s missing .”
The 38 - year - old said Real would be formidable opponents but were not unbeatable.
“ There are reasons to be wary of them , but that is true of every team at this level . If Juve approach this clash the way they know how, they’ ve got a great chance . They ’ve not gone wrong in all the matches that have counted so far this season
0 Comments