To look at them, you’d think they were polar opposites.
But Paul Scholes and Andrea Pirlo epitomised the same philosophy on the football field.
They saw the pitch as a blank canvas on which to express their creativity in the art of midfield virtuosity and both possessed the vision, composure and passing that players can’t learn.
And despite Pirlo being the ripe old age of 36, Scholes still believes that the Juventus playmaker can cause a problem for Barcelona at tomorrow evening’s Champions League final.
Writing in his Independent column, Scholes claims:
“Pirlo presents an interesting challenge to Barcelona. Man-marking is just not their thing and yet, if you allow Pirlo time and space, he will destroy you.
“The current Barcelona team do not deny opposing teams possession to quite the same levels as the Pep Guardiola side, which means that Pirlo will have some of the ball. It depends what he can do when he gets it, but there is no one better than him at picking out the runs of team-mates.
“Pirlo is a cool customer who does things in his own time. On the pitch he just looks so relaxed, no matter what is going on around him.
“He is one of those greats who looks like he could run a midfield with a glass of red wine in one hand. He needs the likes of Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez to make the runs for him but once they set off, they will know that the ball is coming.
“Barcelona cannot afford to ignore Pirlo but making allowances for opposing players is not their style.”
