Andrea Pirlo is plying his trade in America, but still has a lot to offer the Azzurri should he be included in the roster.
There’s a certain stigma around the quality of MLS, the US and Canadian top tier of professional soccer, that has often precluded European players from being called up to their national teams. Currently, Italy has two players in North America who have a realistic shot of making the Euro 2016 trip. Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo were both players for Juventus at some point in 2015, now they have become key figures for their respective sides and will give Conte a lot to consider when he makes his preliminary roster later this month for this summer’s tournament.
For Pirlo, a different set of questions are asked when it comes to his eligibility this summer, and it’s fair to say that he will have to answer to three key questions Conte may have in his mind.
First and foremost, is the 36 year old Italian midfielder physically fit enough to play in the tournament? For me it’s a resounding yes. Pirlo has played over 95% of the minutes he’s been at NYCFC. Last summer and fall, Pirlo played the full 90 for most of the time he was there. This year so far he’s played all but 18 minutes of regulation for the club. His style of play doesn’t require box-to-box action, therefore I don’t think Pirlo needs to be somebody who can do field sprints for a full 90 minutes to be very effective.
If it’s between Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo, who gets the call? The Roma midfielder has suffered with fitness, form and injury woes all season long. It’s been arguably the best kept secret that De Rossi has been utterly woeful for the Giallorossi and he did not receive a call up from Conte in the latest round of friendlies. Conte preferred to keep both Pirlo and De Rossi away and give space to younger midfielders, which in fairness he may do when it comes tournament time anyways. Andrea Pirlo has had the most touches of any player in MLS this season, he’s constantly on the ball for his side, while De Rossi has gone games without making a mark on the match. If it’s between Pirlo and De Rossi for a spot on the plane to France, the Champions League winning, ‘Maestro’ gets the call from me.
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: Benoit Cheyrou #8 of Toronto FC defends Andrea Pirlo #21 of New York City FC free kick at Yankee Stadium on March 13, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Conte’s other options play in Europe and Pirlo plays in MLS, should he even be considered? This depends who you ask, I’ve traveled and seen Pirlo first hand on several occasions with NYCFC. Admittedly, the quality of play in MLS is nowhere near the European leagues, not to mention the likes of La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League. Immediately Pirlo is at a severe disadvantage to get the call, however, with other Italian midfielders less experienced and not in the best of form, the question evolves into something like this: Do you call up a player who’s in great form in a lesser league or do you call up a player who’s in poor form in a better league? Tough to give a solid answer. At the end of the day, Pirlo can make a case that he still has more to offer than other midfielders both in a Conte style system and as an individual.
With only two friendlies remaining before the Euro begins, and the squad will be set by then, everything that will be decided will be based on club performance. Pirlo and his challengers will not have an opportunity to play directly under Conte again to make their claim for a spot on the teamsheet.
Here is the full timeline of events regarding the Italy announcements and squad preparations for Euro 2016 in France.
16th May: Announcement of the players called up for the training camps on Wednesday 18th May and Saturday 21st May
18th May: Training session at Coverciano at 12.00 CEST (excluding Milan, Juventus and PSG players.)
23rd May: Announcement of the players selected for the pre-Euro 2016 retreat.
24th May: Gather at Coverciano for 12:00 CEST
29th May: Italy vs. Scotland friendly at Ta’Qali (Malta). The team will return to Italy and their usual bases after the match.
31st May: Gather in Rome at 18:00 CET before travelling to the centre at Coverciano. The 23-man squad for Euro 2016 will be confirmed to UEFA.
6th June: Italy vs. Finland friendly in Verona. The players will return to their usual bases after the match.
8th June: The players will meet at Milan Malpensa at 20:00 CEST before travelling to Montpellier (France).
9th June: Public training session in the morning at the Montpellier Herault SC training ground
13th June: Belgium vs. Italy in Lyon at 21:00 CEST
17th June: Italy vs. Sweden in Toulouse at 15:00 CEST
22nd June: Italy vs. Ireland in Lille at 21:00 CEST
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