Alcune Riflessioni Sul L'architetto

The dust has settled in Manaus.

England’s gargantuan effort fell short to a clinical Italian outfit boasting the majestic Andrea Pirlo, two-time tormentor of The Three Lions.

It is no longer a case of trying to prevent the 35-year old from dictating the game. Even that has proved impossible for the best England have to offer. His simplicity of touch, depth of vision and effortless jogging motion returned to haunt Hodgson’s men for yet another summer.

There is a nonchalant aspect to his game in the way he trots around the pitch, rarely breaking sweat, even in the tropical humidity of Manaus. Why sweat yourself when you can make your opponents?

Even the seasoned internationals of Danielle De Rossi and goalscorer Claudio Marchisio repeatedly pass up the chance to play forward, insisting on finding the feet of their merciless king, as if needing his approval to do so.

This is not about statistics. He topped the charts for attempted passes and passes completed, but we knew that anyway. In reality, we knew before a ball was kicked.

 This is about a man who oozes in class and in style and who possesses a simplicity of which nobody in world football can replicate.

And to think that just three years ago AC Milan let him walk away from the San Siro on a free transfer – pazzesco!

He managed to unlock the England defence without even touching the ball. A clever dummy on the edge of the 18-yard box created space for Marchisio to arrow Italy’s opener through a clutter of bodies and past the despairing Joe Hart.

As time catches up with the aging pass-master, his role has remained the same as it was 10 seasons ago. His longevity preserved by the ease of his game. Dictating the pace, not being restricted by it.  

England have long faced accusations of producing players void of the technical skills necessary at international level. Andrea is the antithesis, whether caressing the ball with a two-yard pass or dizzying Joe Hart with a swerving dipping free kick. His inventory, infinite.

Vintage wine, vintage Pirlo

Pirlo is known for being a wine connoisseur and running a vineyard in his native Italy, producing around 15–20,000 bottles every year. One for ever pass perhaps? Though Pirlo himself it seems, is an exceptional 35-year old vintage.

His ability to stand still, an art form in its self, is profound. The game gravitates his way, neither by accident nor luck. Once in possession, he protects the ball, swiveling past the onrushing opposition who realise the danger of the man in possession.

Former Poland manager Zbigniew Boniek spoke of Pirlo; “To pass the ball to Andrea Pirlo is like to hide it in a safe.” One that England couldn’t get close to, never mind open.

Much was made of England’s pre match warm up during Italian coverage of the game. An intense and over zealous rehearsal of what transpired to become the latter stages of the game with England shuttle running in an attempt to regain possession. In his book, Penso Quindi Gioco, Pirlo has a few choice words on pre match warm ups, “It’s nothing but masturbation for conditioning coaches.” It seems not even an incessant sense of humour can escape the grasp of Pirlo.

The closest we had to our own “l'architetto” was Paul Scholes. He, like Wayne Rooney on Saturday evening, was put out on the left during his international career, a move that now seems beyond comprehension given his profound ability in central areas.

“The only great English midfielder in my career was Paul Scholes. He had elegance in him. Others were pretenders.”

England may have been out witted and maneuvered by the godly maestro in Manaus but one saving grace lies in the extended number of games we are likely to see Pirlo orchestrate, as his Italian side look certain to make the last 16.

Pirlo will retire from international football after the 2014 World Cup, passing on the baton to Marco Veratti, PGS’s younger blue-eyed Italian understudy. Like all greats of the game, only when he signs off from the world stage will the we truly appreciate his talents.

This once-in-a-generation sportsman should be held in the highest regard for decades to come, remembered as the man who played the beautiful game how he wants, when he wants.

And how he makes it look oh so easy.

Andrea Pirlo, thank you.