Andrea Pirlo celebrated his birthday with the Coppa Italia trophy, explains how Juventus beat Atalanta and why he would ‘confirm’ himself on the bench.
The coach has come under fire, but in his debut season has won the Italian Supercoppa and the Coppa Italia, while still in the running for a top four Serie A finish.
This 2-1 Final victory over Atalanta arrived on his 42nd birthday, with Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Chiesa goals around the temporary Ruslan Malinovskyi equaliser.
“It was a wonderful game with two great teams who fought from start to finish. It was worthy of the Final and also for these wonderful fans, so we are happy we were able to give them a great night,” Pirlo told RAI Sport.
“We wanted to win, to bring home this trophy, despite it not being a positive season. We came back together, got it into our heads that this was an important objective. We beat great teams in the semi-final and Final, so Juventus deserved this trophy.”
When Chiesa scored the goal, Paulo Dybala was already standing on the touchline waiting to come on as his replacement.
“We were about to take him off when he scored, that’s football for you. Not everyone has scored a decisive goal in a Cup Final, so it’s great for him.”
Juventus stepped up a gear in the second half and ran Atalanta ragged, what changes did Pirlo make?
“Cuadrado was a little too deep in the first half, but I told him to be more ferocious on Gosens and McKennie to attack their centre-back. We did it in the second half and it all went much better.”
The campaign could well end on another high, as Juventus can still capture a Champions League spot if they beat Bologna and either Milan or Napoli fail to get the victory.
“We wouldn’t be here talking about fifth place and a premature Champions League exit if it had been a totally positive season. There were ups and downs, these two trophies cannot cancel that out.
“For my first season, I have learned a great deal and then found these satisfactions that are very gratifying.
“We always tried to build with three from the back, then at times we’d have two centre-backs and a midfielder, at times three, it depended on the opponent.
“The regret is that we dropped points against teams who on paper were supposed to be easier to beat. Now we go into the final round and know it’s not all in our hands.”
It is potentially in Atalanta’s hands, as they are up against Milan.
“We are confident everyone will play to the death, Atalanta, Bologna and Verona, which is as it should be.”
Pirlo was asked if he would confirm himself as Juventus coach for next season.
“Of course I would confirm myself in this role. I’ve loved football since I was a child and will continue to love it. The club will decide, but I love coaching, I love this club, and we’ll see what is decided. I would like to continue.”
Pirlo has won the Coppa Italia as a player, so is it tougher as a coach?
“It’s more difficult as a coach than a player. Sometimes you call the players and they can’t hear you, or you can see things from the sidelines that they cannot in the game. I still feel like running on and playing!
“The lads have always been behind me 100 per cent and that’s very satisfying for a coach, no matter what the gossip says in the papers.”