Andrea Pirlo admits his loyalties are torn today as Milan visit struggling hometown club Brescia. “I'm sorry, but we need to win.”
The midfielder was born and raised in Brescia, going on to their youth academy and the senior squad.
“It's a shame to see Bari like this and I'm sorry, but Milan need to win the Scudetto,” he told Bresciaoggi.it.
“I expect our opponents to be aggressive and ready for battle, the way they always are.”
Andrea Pirlo admits his loyalties are torn today as Milan visit struggling hometown club Brescia. “I'm sorry, but we need to win.”
The midfielder was born and raised in Brescia, going on to their youth academy and the senior squad.
“It's a shame to see Bari like this and I'm sorry, but Milan need to win the Scudetto,” he told Bresciaoggi.it.
“I expect our opponents to be aggressive and ready for battle, the way they always are.”
Pirlo's beloved Rondinelle are in penultimate place, so a positive result for his team could plunge them into Serie B.
President Gino Corioni was at the helm when Pirlo played for Brescia and announced this week he's determined to sell the club after two decades in charge.
“Perhaps the President said those things to fire up the team. He certainly wants someone to step in and help invest for a more competitive Brescia and all told he's right.
“If this really is his decision to walk away, then I am a little surprised. I hope he changes his mind.”
Pirlo made his first start in four months for Wednesday's 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Palermo.
“I am in better shape now, but after four months out with a succession of injuries it is tough to find match fitness.”
Massimo Ambrosini has also returned to the squad after a long injury lay-off, as he hasn't featured since January 29 against Catania.
Alessandro Nesta, Alexandre Pato, Pippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic are still unavailable.
Milan squad: Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Legrottaglie, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Van Bommel, Cassano, Robinho, Beretta