Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio said Andrea Pirlo “is the best in the world at free kicks” after eliminating Fiorentina.
Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio said Andrea Pirlo “is the best in the world at free kicks” after eliminating Fiorentina.
The 1-0 victory at the Stadio Artemio Franchi has sent the Bianconeri through to the Europa League quarter-finals, 2-1 on aggregate.
“The goal on broke the deadlock, but the team had done well from start to finish,” Alessio told Mediaset.
He was sent to speak with the media after the game, as Antonio Conte is suffering from flu symptoms.
Pirlo decided the second match in a row for Juve, as his late free kick also secured a 1-0 Serie A victory away to Genoa at the weekend.
“I think Pirlo is the best in the world at free kicks and I also believe he can beat Sinisa Mihajlovic’s record of goals from set plays in Serie A.
“The extra man also helped us in the final stages, even if we wasted several chances to finish off the game.
“Fiorentina started very strong and put us under pressure, but we adjusted and in the second half we were the only team playing.”
Alessio defended Conte’s use of squad rotation this season, which sees them top of the Serie A table.
“We knew that playing every three days required squad rotation and did not snub any competition. We try to give our all in every game.
“We know the value of this squad and the players are proving what they can do.”