He wasnt sold for free, he was out of contract and wanted a new project....

The_ItalianFool wrote:He wasnt sold for free, he was out of contract and wanted a new project....

Barcelona fans know lots about other teams!

He wasnt sold, but Milan werent tripping over themselves to keep him.

The Franchise wrote:He wasnt sold, but Milan werent tripping over themselves to keep him.

Allegri and all the fans wanted to keep him. Yet since Galliani is more involved in balancing his books, he refused to maintain Pirlos wage which was one of the deciding factors in the transfer.

No one agreed with Galliani here

If im Milan, im not THAT dissapointed though. As great as he is.

MVB provides a stern defensive presence (albiet inconsistently) to protect the defence in front of the back 4.

The Franchise wrote:If im Milan, im not THAT dissapointed though. As great as he is.

MVB provides a stern defensive presence (albiet inconsistently) to protect the defence in front of the back 4.

But speaking purely from a general Milan fan perspective, we are sorely disappointed as Pirlo's absence is severly missed as his type of player is essentially needed in this system.

MvB never was the direct replacement, he only acts as our sole DM and midfield general who also provides consistent bouts of some solid distribution and playmaking with his sharp passing. The latter is only a bonus.

He hasnt been inconsistent at all. Only in the beginning of the season where he was struggling with injuries and being overplayed (take his age into account), as only then we saw performances not upto his standard that he set last year.

But long since then he literally has been outstanding and easily is our most important midfielder.

Mark plays central but Pirlo last year many a times played on the left or right and occasionally in a more advanced position and excelled quite well despite a few rusty performances (when coming from his 8 month long injury).

Milan fans and I to this day hold a grudge against Gallianis decision to let him go as if Juve win the scudetto, he'll have some answering to do.

Well when I speak about inconsistent, I speak about how ineffective he is once he is booked. I have noticed, every time it happens he is afraid of commit and space is available.

As for Pirlo. In the current set up, where would he function?

If its right or left, then he had to provide defence and offensive movement to either flank...something I dont think he is particularly strong at, at least not in comparison to current batch.

So, would it be where MVB is now? As I said, he doesnt offer the defence.

I understand the opinion of keeping him, I would want to also. But honestly, he wouldnt be used in the capacity or as often he is now at Juve and I wouldnt be tripping over myself to resign him either.

Now, thats just meyview. I dont have the depth of knowledge as you on this subject, though I probably can see the issue from a different, perhaps less nostalgic perspective.

The Franchise wrote:Well when I speak about inconsistent, I speak about how ineffective he is once he is booked. I have noticed, every time it happens he is afraid of commit and space is available.

As for Pirlo. In the current set up, where would he function?

If its right or left, then he had to provide defence and offensive movement to either flank...something I dont think he is particularly strong at, at least not in comparison to current batch.

So, would it be where MVB is now? As I said, he doesnt offer the defence.

I understand the opinion of keeping him, I would want to also. But honestly, he wouldnt be used in the capacity or as often he is now at Juve and I wouldnt be tripping over myself to resign him either.

Now, thats just meyview. I dont have the depth of knowledge as you on this subject, though I probably can see the issue from a different, perhaps less nostalgic perspective.

Your point on nostalgia is an intriguing point as it possibly does effect my judgment.

MvB when booked? He usually is cautious when it means suspension for the next match (CL) or when he needs to be more gritty but those cases are few as most of the time his influence allows the midfield to be more composed than succumbing to the pressure.

Pirlo played mostly on the left in exceptional situations yet majority it was on the right where Abate evolved sufficiently enough to withstand what came towards him from that flank. Also, our central DM play usually is told to be disciplined enough to be more horizontal in order to screen and harry the flanks when needed. KPB, is also responsible for counter pressing and tracking back along with all forwards aside from Ibra and Pato, which usually works in the end.

Where Pirlo excelled at is providing cover through his reading of the game and tactical fouls. It didn't exactly suit our system, but the benefits that he gave overcame that.

I agree with your Juve comment and how he is used as I applaud Conte for fully utilizing Pirlo resourcefully. Problem always is though, Juve will not perform near as well without him. Which is why Allegri wanted an adaptive and fluid system in which there is little reliance on any player. Hence why we actually play more openly and more fluid without Ibra. Thats just one example.

I know you may be thinking that at least Pirlo could have had an understudy to replace him. Sadly, Galliani did not provide those needs.

The dismissal of Pirlo on this thread is terrible and ignorant. Especially considering some of the amateur reasons these pro-Xavi folks have (Pirlo doesn't pick his head up stood out. lol.)

I was about to make a really long-winded post but Arquitecto handled it well.

Pirlo for me.

Bump (people discussing it in the inesta thread)

Pirlo didn't do much and was really chasing Xavi's shadow. He did have some impact but really wasn't that great imo

paxtonpale wrote:Pirlo didn't do much and was really chasing Xavi's shadow. He did have some impact but really wasn't that great imo

Obvious bias is bias.

Xavi did absolutely nothing of note in that game besides pass sideways.

For the record though, using one game to compare the two is ridiculous. They've both had fantastic careers and there is no clear 'better' player between the two. I prefer Pirlo. Although they may be equal to each other in terms of talent, the way they conduct themselves could not be more different. Pirlo is class personified and Xavi is a whiny and arrogant little bitch (for lack of a better way to say it)

Cookie Monster wrote:

paxtonpale wrote:Pirlo didn't do much and was really chasing Xavi's shadow. He did have some impact but really wasn't that great imo

Obvious bias is bias.

Xavi did absolutely nothing of note in that game besides pass sideways.

For the record though, using one game to compare the two is ridiculous. They've both had fantastic careers and there is no clear 'better' player between the two. I prefer Pirlo. Although they may be equal to each other in terms of talent, the way they conduct themselves could not be more different. Pirlo is class personified and Xavi is a whiny and arrogant little bitch (for lack of a better way to say it)

He's actually a very humble person and regarded extremely highly by footballers and everyone in the football world for his character and passion for the game. He says what he believes and this has developed a clique-ish reaction on this forum which has seemed to incubate unnecessary disrespect towards him.

He's just as much a class act as Pirlo is.

Cookie Monster wrote:Pirlo is class personified and Xavi is a whiny and arrogant little bitch (for lack of a better way to say it)

bahahahahahahaha, so true

Edit: Sarcasm, before Kizz attacks! Although you can't get classier than Pirlo. He's like the guy they measure class by.

Compilation - Italy - Spain

Xavi is the better regista, Pirlo the better footballer.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I really don't understand the claims that Pirlo is better defensively than Xavi. Xavi could play DM without too many difficulties, Pirlo would get eaten alive.

I had a huge burst of laughter

Immortal Babun wrote:Xavi is the better regista, Pirlo the better footballer.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I really don't understand the claims that Pirlo is better defensively than Xavi. Xavi could play DM without too many difficulties, Pirlo would get eaten alive.

I had a huge burst of laughter

You do know that Xavi started as a DM, right? He only started playing as a CM when barca loaned davids...

harhar11 wrote:

Immortal Babun wrote:Xavi is the better regista, Pirlo the better footballer.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I really don't understand the claims that Pirlo is better defensively than Xavi. Xavi could play DM without too many difficulties, Pirlo would get eaten alive.

I had a huge burst of laughter

You do know that Xavi started as a DM, right? He only started playing as a CM when barca loaned davids...

But saying that Pirlo would "get eaten alive" is a myth.

Did anyone watch Pirlo today?

7amood11 wrote:

harhar11 wrote:

Immortal Babun wrote:Xavi is the better regista, Pirlo the better footballer.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I really don't understand the claims that Pirlo is better defensively than Xavi. Xavi could play DM without too many difficulties, Pirlo would get eaten alive.

I had a huge burst of laughter

You do know that Xavi started as a DM, right? He only started playing as a CM when barca loaned davids...

But saying that Pirlo would "get eaten alive" is a myth.

I dont know as I have never seen Pirlo play as a lone DM. There most be a reason why Pirlo has always had atleast 1 true DM by his side..

I would choose Gatusso-Pirlo-Seedorf over Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta anyway.

Immortal Babun wrote:Did anyone watch Pirlo today?

1 goal + 1 assist for Pirlo...
............................... xavi

The_ItalianFool wrote:He wasnt sold for free, he was out of contract and wanted a new project....

How do you "sell" something "free"?

My vote goes for the one that assisted Roberto Baggio 12 years ago, and yesterday scored the first direct free kick at the European Championship since Heinz vs Germany at Euro 2004. Also, the one that was named 3 times MVP on the 2006 World Cup, most that anyone in any WC (record). Besides that, the one that has played 3 Champions League finals, and of coursethe only one of the two that actually deserves the Ballon D' Oro. Pirlo.

Cotes wrote:

The_ItalianFool wrote:He wasnt sold for free, he was out of contract and wanted a new project....

How do you "sell" something "free"?

Milan were unfair to him. He didn't want to leave Milan, but Allegri & Galliani forced him.

Pirlo for me. He is the most complete passer of the ball I've ever seen. And he is more 'direct' than the Spaniard.

He are some stats from whoscored.com. For those who are interested.

All stats are from the 2011-2012 season. (league only)

Average passes per game.
Xavi 93.8
Pirlo 86.4

Xavi averaged more passes a game than anyone in the 'top 5 leagues' (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France)

Pirlo averaged the second most.

Passing success rate.
Xavi 92.4%
Pirlo 86.4%

'Key Passes, per game' ( a pass before a shot)
Xavi 2.1
Pirlo 3.4

Pirlo is the second highest in the top 5 leagues, when it comes to 'Key Passes', behind only, Nene, of PSG. Who averages 3.7

Accurate crosses per game
Xavi 0.8
Pirlo 2.5

Pirlo is joint third, in the major leagues, when it comes to accurate crosses per game.

Accurate 'Long Balls' per game
Xavi 7.1
Pirlo 11.2

Pirlo is the second highest, and highest off any outfield player in the 5 major EU leagues here, only Borussia M.Gladbach keeper Ter Stegen, averages more, 12.4.

Accurate through balls per game
Xavi 0.6
Pirlo 0.9

Pirlo is joint third, in the 5 leagues, only behind Totti & Messi, 1.6 & 1.5 respectively, he is joint with Ibrahimovic, on 0.9

Assists
Xavi 7
Pirlo 13

Pirlo was 6th out of the top 5 leagues. Behind, Ozil on 17. Hazard & Messi on 16. Di Maria & David Silva on 15.