Andrea Pirlo, former Juventus midfield master, talks about the current Juventus midfield to Sky Sport after their Champions League exit.
'We were a great midfield, made of quality and quantity, which was the fulcrum of the whole team, together with a great defence.'
'I have to say maybe we had those attackers, but it is part of the cycles, once you are better ahead, once more behind, it is difficult to have a complete team.'
'I think today Ronaldo's Juventus lacks quality in midfield, Pjanic is the only one with quality, they are good players but there is a need for something, someone like Iniesta, and a more tested game structure.'
The Juventus midfield has come in for criticism following their defeat to Ajax with claims that a truly world class central midfielder is needed if they are to truly challenge for Europeβs premier competition. With Aaron Ramsey set to join from Arsenal in the summer, it remains to be seen whether that is enough of an overhaul for them to be successful in Europe.
princetonroyal
118
the whole midfield and defense were not strong to be honestπππ what is he talkin about they barely give ronaldo the ball how do u expect him to score when they not makin accurate passing and alexandro is the worst left back the whole juventus team is slow on the ball ajax passing of ball was quick, i blame the juve side its self not ronaldo
Sidharth20
94
Sell Khedira,Matuidi,Cuadrado and Sandro ... I know Mandzukic has renewed but he is definitely not good , sell Mandzukic as well ... Loan Kean for a season .... Buy Icardi and James , these 2 are more than enough for Juventus to topple any opposition ...
sleepy_owl
92
its true ...just look at this picture... at pirlo's time,,, juve's mid was wayyyy tooo strong than this juve ... if Ronaldo got this midfield ,,, than results might be different today...
maddyfootballer
69
They have a great midfielders and great defenders and great attackers but they don't have a great midfield or defence or attack In short they have superstars they don't have team
DardaSiddiqi
68
OK,we must admit that at present the midfield of Juve is not as it was at Pirlo's time but still man , you can't say this by taking the name of CR7 .He tried a lot .Juventus wouldn't have kicked out by Ajax if Ronaldo didn't score a hat trick to get them in the quarter finals.So you can't criticize by only taking the name of CR7 .ππππ€π€π€π€
Veabmnorsu
63
the reason why JUVENTUS knock dnw by AJAX is that...they have lack of counter attcking...and crossing...only CR7 cannot do .
back pass is there hobby don't wnt to pass to CR7/other forward ..is their AIM in life
Fawmnopsy
63
Those of you criticizing Ronaldo, look at the quality of players around Messi and compare them with those around Ronaldo. Messi would be useless with those low quality players.
cabdalamohamed
60
Cristiano. RONALDO is also a human he already produced a wonderful miracle in the atletico match by scoring 3 goals and you expect him to do that again without proper midfield or proper defenceΒ ππππππππππ
princekwakuduah
58
And also both the national side and club of Juventus can not only depend on Chiellini and Bonucci as well ,the must find other defenders to replace them when they are not fit.so you see,Bonucci did not played well without chiellini,other than that,Ajax wouldnt have leveld things up.that unexpected pass just went through the defence like that to the well position striker of Ajax,who finishes it home.If Chiellini was there,I know he could have cleared that pass as well.
Benosky1
52
The question is; Is Ronaldo a midfield player??? you were stronger you failed to win UCL in your time. Ronaldo can score for you, still come back and defend for you, it doesn't happen. This is the reason juve are not yet successful in UCL.. you think its about defenceπ he delivered juve against ATM, secured away goal against Ajax, and now you talk about Ronaldo being in the midfield.. Pirlo is just frustrated with this comment honestly.or he lost a bet.
cwesi2000
48
Here is the case, juventus called themselves old ladies and then they fall in love with an Oldman called CR7, so if a old lady married a Oldman what will be their performance on bed? their performance would never be like a old lady married a young guy. so they should shut the hell up