Tuttosport explains why Antonio Conte ‘wasn’t convinced’ about Andrea Pirlo when the former midfielder joined Juventus as a free agent in 2011.
Pirlo moved to Turin in a free transfer from Milan in the summer of 2011.
Antonio Conte had just moved to the Allianz Stadium for his first season in charge of the Bianconeri and according to Tuttosport, he was not convinced about the signing of the 2006 World Cup winner who was 33 at that time.
“Conte wasn’t convinced about his reliability,” writes the Turin-based paper.
Tuttosport explains why Antonio Conte ‘wasn’t convinced’ about Andrea Pirlo when the former midfielder joined Juventus as a free agent in 2011.
Pirlo moved to Turin in a free transfer from Milan in the summer of 2011.
Antonio Conte had just moved to the Allianz Stadium for his first season in charge of the Bianconeri and according to Tuttosport, he was not convinced about the signing of the 2006 World Cup winner who was 33 at that time.
“Conte wasn’t convinced about his reliability,” writes the Turin-based paper.
The coach feared Pirlo wasn’t fit anymore, not to mention he initially wanted to use a 4-2-4 formation that would need dynamic and fast midfielders to work well.
He was aware Pirlo’s technical skills and vision were above average, but needed to figure out how to fit him in his starting XI.
Conte changed his system to 3-5-2 with Pirlo used in a classic playmaker position.
The 2006 World Cup winner scored three goals in 41 appearances and Juve won the first Scudetto of the post-Calciopoli era.
Conte and Pirlo will meet at the Stadio Meazza on Sunday for a crucial Inter-Juventus clash.