Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo has looked ahead to the visit of Real Madrid and father figure Carlo Ancelotti in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Serie A champions face the champions of Europe in the last four, with Turin playing host to the first leg on Tuesday.
Pirlo has spoken at length to AS in advance of the fixture, discussing a number of topics in the interview, starting with what appeared to be emotional scenes as the Old Lady lifted the Scudetto with a win over Sampdoria.
“Crying? Not exactly. I was hit in the face in the celebration! It hurt,” Pirlo revealed.
“I was happy, yes. I hope to shake it off by the time we play Madrid.
“I remember the applause at Santiago Bernabeu. I hope next week it happens again. And that it’s not only me who is applauded, but the whole team.
“There’s the game and the return. It’s 180 minutes. The first game is vital and we must play with intelligence, prudence and boldness. We have a dream to realise, and nothing to lose, but we can’t get carried away with that.
“Ancelotti was like a father to me. We spent many years together. He helped me play my best football in a different position, deeper. He changed my role on the field. The times with him were indescribable.
“I hope [Ancelotti] doesn’t man-mark me. I hope to play with a bit of freedom, but I’m used to having one of the attackers take a defensive position.
“I was close to Madrid in 2006. Fabio Capello called me. Milan were having problems with calciopoli. It was almost done. Then everything was arranged and I renewed my contract.
“There’s no regret. That year, we won the Champions League. It was 50-50.
“Madrid is Madrid. There’s nothing more to say. They’re the most prestigious team in the world.”
Pirlo was also asked specifically about Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Isco and Alvaro Morata, and which players he is particularly impressed by.
“I enjoy watching Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta,” he noted.
“They play for their teams, for their teammates, and they make others play well.
“Ronaldo and Messi? It’s only necessary to congratulate them. They’re in a category of their own. In every game they score two or three goals.
“Isco is very good. I saw him when he played against us in a friendly, with Malaga, and we noticed his quality. He’s shown what a good player he is.
“Morata came to Italy like all foreigners, especially Spaniards, feeling some fatigue with the physical preparation we do so strongly.
“They’re not used to that and it shows in the first six months. Then he started to play, score goals and prove he is a great talent.
“He’lll be excited to start. It is his Madrid but, as I say, on the pitch you forget everything.”
