Azzurri no one-man show, insists Pirlo

Much of Italy’s success for the past decade owes to the creativity and determination of Andrea Pirlo.

The veteran midfielder insisted yesterday, however, that the main strength of the Azzurri is their reliance on team play and not on any single individual.

“This national team is not Pirlo-dependent,” the 35-year-old said. “In order to go all the way you need everyone’s contribution. Our aim should be to win and go until the end. We have a very competitive team and we will give our all to win this tournament.

“I never compete to take part but to finish first.”

England coach Roy Hodgson, whose side will face Italy on Saturday in Manaus in their opening match at the World Cup, singled out the veteran playmaker as the Azzurri’s most dangerous player.

An area where Pirlo excels is with his free-kicks.

“I like to score goals from free-kicks,” he said. “I’ve done it since I was young and I hope to continue to do so.”

Pirlo, who can focus firmly on the World Cup after yesterday signing a two-year contract extension which will keep him at Juventus until June 2016, says that England are a dangerous first opponent.

“We know England is a good team, that has improved a lot,” he said. “They have new young players, who are fast. We will have to be careful. However, we know how to face them. Italy has always played great games against England and hence, we will have our chances.”