Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo addresses Allegri comparisons

Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has done an excellent job with this team. Although there were some hiccups to start the season, those struggles were expected for a squad that added young talent in the transfer window.

This team is seriously starting to gel, and now the plaudits are coming in for Pirlo, whose inexperience in the manager’s seat is starting to melt away. Pirlo’s Juve lost 2-0 to Inter Milan in the league, but they have now advanced past their Derby d’Italia rivals in the Coppa Italia semifinals after Pirlo thoroughly outcoached Antonio Conte.

In an interview with Rai, Pirlo spoke about the comparisons to one of his other predecessors as Juve’s manager, Max Allegri, and he seemed to be flattered by the comparisons.

Here’s the quote, via Gianluca Di Marzio:

"“I like the comparisons to Allegri. If I win what he won, it would certainly not be a problem. I was hoping to make it to the final, now we also have the round of sixteen in the Champions League, we will do our part there.”"

Andrea Pirlo has done a great job for Juventus so far

Allegri won Serie A five years in a row for Juventus, claimed the Coppa Italia in four of those seasons consecutively, and grabbed the Supercoppa Italiana twice. He also had the Old Lady on the doorstep of a Champions League title, which is the trophy that has eluded the club and is thus now the priority for Pirlo.

There’s no doubt that Pirlo should be happy with the comparisons to Allegri. His accomplishments in Turin speak for themselves. Of course, Pirlo will want to take Juventus to new heights, specifically in the Champions League. And if Cristiano Ronaldo stays for a couple of more years and keeps scoring goals at this rate, there is no telling how high the Bianconeri can soar.

The mood in Turin is highly positive following the elimination of Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia, but Pirlo knows there is more work to be done. Juve are still behind in Serie A, the Coppa is not won yet, and the Champions League is only really just beginning.

But with the Supercoppa in his hands and a Coppa Italia Final on the horizon, Pirlo has to like what he sees from his new-look side as a first-year manager.