Former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo admits “if I’d been on the pitch yesterday, it would have burned to go out like that”.
The Bianconeri came back from a 3-0 first leg defeat to Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final, only to have a penalty awarded against them in the last minute, which Cristiano Ronaldo scored.
Gianluigi Buffon was sent-off for protesting to referee Michael Oliver, and his former teammate was asked about that reaction at the Press conference to present his farewell game.
Former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo admits “if I’d been on the pitch yesterday, it would have burned to go out like that”.
The Bianconeri came back from a 3-0 first leg defeat to Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final, only to have a penalty awarded against them in the last minute, which Cristiano Ronaldo scored.
Gianluigi Buffon was sent-off for protesting to referee Michael Oliver, and his former teammate was asked about that reaction at the Press conference to present his farewell game.
“The desire to win always remains,” Pirlo explained.
“The penalty could just as easily be there as not, but I think a referee with a bit more nous could have let it go.
“If I’d been on the pitch yesterday, it would have burned to go out like that, when you play a game like that and then lose the chance to play for it 10 seconds from the end, it makes you crazy.
“They’ll focus on the league now, hoping to start again next year for success in Europe.
“A defeat like that passes in a few days, the league isn’t over and the disappointment will remain, but now they have to focus on the league.”
Pirlo’s farewell game will be played on May 21 at San Siro, with all gate receipts donated to charity, and the World Cup-winner was asked why he retired.
“You have to understand when you’re no longer what you were, when your body gives you signals and others are better than you.
“I chose May 21 because 21 is my number and I made my debut in May, coming on for [Marco] Schenardi.”
Pirlo then looked back on his career, which saw him play for clubs like Brescia, Inter, Juventus and Milan.
“I had 10 fantastic years at Milan, unrepeatable. They made me an important player, they made me feel like I was in a family, those were indescribable years.
“Winning like that for so many years was incredible.
“Barcelona? There were negotiations over the years, but there was nothing better than Milan and I stayed. Three big clubs, and the one of my city, I’m satisfied.
“It was difficult to leave Milan but at a certain point you have to look for motivation and Juventus was the best choice.
“I want to be remembered as a particular type of player: able to make the team play well, elegant. I hope in future that’s how I’ll be remembered.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing in a year, I’m focusing on this game now – there are so many champions to fit in!
“From Buffon to [Francesco] Totti, to [Alessandro] Del Piero, [Alessandro] Nesta and [Gennaro] Gattuso.
“The bloc of the national team that were world champions will all be there, the WhatsApp chat is always active.”
Filippo Inzaghi scored twice for Milan in the 2007 Champions League final, but was his first actually Pirlo’s?
“No, no we worked on that in training!” Pirlo laughed.