Andrea Pirlo explains the tactical plan that allowed Juventus to dominate Barcelona 3-0. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo was motivated against his eternal rival’ Leo Messi.
The Bianconeri needed to win by two clear goals other than 2-0 in order to cancel out the 2-0 Barca result in Turin.
Andrea Pirlo explains the tactical plan that allowed Juventus to dominate Barcelona 3-0. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo was motivated against his eternal rival’ Leo Messi.
The Bianconeri needed to win by two clear goals other than 2-0 in order to cancel out the 2-0 Barca result in Turin.
They achieved it fully, with a pair of Cristiano Ronaldo penalties and an acrobatic Weston McKennie volley, becoming the first ever Italian side to score three goals at Camp Nou in UEFA competition.
“It was important for our journey that we pick up where we left off in the derby. When you start with that focus, concentration and determination, then the quality emerges,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We had prepared the match to create superiority in midfield with three against their two, the midfielders like McKennie able to push up, as we knew they had difficulty stopping them pushing up through the middle.
“The tactical plan worked and then the players did really well to make the most of the scoring opportunities.”
There was a special moment other than the two penalties, as at the 81st minute Ronaldo tracked back into his own penalty area for a great defensive tackle on Messi.
“Ronaldo was very motivated to put in a good performance here against his eternal rival, so when you’re that motivated, it becomes simple,” smiled Pirlo.
“There are many games in a season and it’s easier to get fired up for fixtures like this, but we mustn’t lose sight of the real target, which is Serie A, so we have to be this concentrated and committed there too.”