[dst]

Blog: The Pirlo Problem
Andrea Pirlo is the only irreplaceable figure for Milan. In this poor period of form, Susy Campanale insists that's not a compliment

He is regularly hailed as one of the greatest midfielders in the world, his vision sublime and his free-kicks laser-guided. Andrea Pirlo has made the role in front of the defence his own and over the past seven seasons has been at the heart of Milan's success in the Champions League, Serie A and Club World Cup. It was always said by Coach Carlo Ancelotti, teammates and pundits alike that he was truly irreplaceable. Unfortunately, that seems to be absolutely true.

There are many reasons for the Rossoneri's disastrous run of results, from a slow defence to an ineffective strike force, but perhaps the biggest loss has been Pirlo. He's still playing, because he has to, but he's in no fit condition to give the team anything right now.

In the 2-1 loss to Atalanta I'm not sure he got more than a couple of passes to their intended destination. Even his free-kicks have been abysmal of late and it's a trend going back at least to the Champions League ties with Arsenal. The effect on his confidence was made evident when his stoppage-time penalty was saved this Sunday.

What has happened to Pirlo? It's possible he is tired, as he seems to be the only player – even more so than Kaka – who cannot afford to be rested. Milan are lost without him, finding no link between midfield and attack, no coverage for the defence and absolutely no ability to dictate the tempo.

If anyone doubted how important he is for this team, then they only need watch the Diavolo struggle to break down a defence this season. The transfer market priority was meant to be someone who could fill in for Pirlo, but Yoann Gourcuff and Emerson just don't fit the bill.

Milan's run for fourth place is at risk, but Pirlo is also going into Euro 2008 in this shape. He was key to the World Cup triumph in Germany and had the 4-4-1-1 system still been employed this would have been a total disaster. Roberto Donadoni employs different tactics that can do without him, but it is still always better to have Pirlo at your disposal in a major international tournament.

Then again, perhaps it is best he does sit on the sidelines during much of the summer, as with the way Milan are constructed that's the only way he'll get any rest.


channel4

So true... Just this: close to 200 games for Milan and Italy in the past two and a half seasons! It's ridiculous... we should have found a worthy sub for him... among the many things that we should have done...

This post has been edited by dst: Apr 2 2008, 05:32 PM