Berita Pemain

Pirlo Autobiography

“I have dealt with many Coaches in my career, but Conte is the one who surprised me the most. He needed just one speech, with many simple words, to conquer both me and Juventus.

We arrived together on the Planet Juventus. “He presented himself to us on the first day of pre-season training in the gym at Bardonecchia. He already had fire running through his veins and moved like a viper. ‘This squad, dear lads, is coming off two consecutive seventh-place finishes. It’s crazy. Shocking. I am not here for this, so it’s time to stop being crap.’

“If Arrigo Sacchi was a genius, then what is he? I expected him to be great, but not that great. I thought of a Coach with a lot of grit and charisma, but instead I discovered he has much to teach his colleagues in terms of tactics and technique.

“Going back, there is one thing I wouldn’t do again – choose the locker right next to Gigi Buffon at the Juventus Stadium, the one in front of the door,” wrote Pirlo.

“It is the most dangerous spot in Turin, especially at half-time. Conte storms in and – even when we are winning – throws anything he can get his hands on towards the wall, which is my spot. He’ll throw anything he can find, almost always plastic bottles full of water. Very fizzy water.

“He becomes a beast and is never happy, as there is always some detail that isn’t perfect and he can see in advance what could happen over the next 45 minutes.

“One time we were losing to Milan and he couldn’t get over it. ‘Against them! I can’t understand how we can’t be beating them! They even play badly.’”

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10 facts about Manchester United transfer target Claudio Marchisio

Manchester United are being linked with a move for Italian international Claudio Marchisio today.

United first registered an interest in the versatile midfielder back in 2010 but since then he has cemented his place as a regular member of the Old Lady first team but is thought to be unsettled at the recent tactical rejig at the club under Antonio Conte.

But what can we tell you about this 27-year-old midfielder? 

Here are ten facts about Claudio Marchisio.

1) Marchisio is every bit an avid Bianconeri fan. Growing up in a family of Juve supporters he was a ball-boy at the Delle Alpi stadium.

2) He was first called up into the Juventus first team to train as a teenager by former England manager Fabio Capello.

3) It was the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal that gave him first big opportunity. With Juventus relegated to Serie B he was given a starting role in the side under Dider Deschamps.

4) After promotion he was loaned out to Empoli along with Sebastian Giovinco in order to gain vital first-team football.

5) He finally scored his first goal for the club upon his return to Juventus with a match winner against Fiorentina; five days after his 23rd birthday.

6) He was voted Juventus’ Player of the Year in 2009.

7) Marchisio first captained his beloved Juve in the Europa league tie with Fulham in 2010.

8) He was named in the Serie A team of the year in both 2011 and 2012.

9) He made his national team debut for Italy in 2009 under Marcelo Lippi and has since gone on to play 32 games for the Azzurri and bag one goal against Serbia in 2011.

10) Interestingly it is a former Manchester United player that may be the reason behind his apparent desire to leave. Conte has changed the formation in order to accommodate Frenchman Paul Pogba which has reportedly left Marchisio disconcerted.

Would you like to see Claudio Marchisio arrive at Old Trafford?