But, should Pirlo and Pogba have both started?
Before the match took place, I affirmed that Allegri had to make tough decision between playing Pirlo or Pogba in the center. I've said this so many times and I stand by it. You CANNOT play a central player in a wide position. It just doesn't work. The way in which you play out wide is very different to how you navigate in the middle of the field. And many people have been talking of how Pogba is overrated, not worth the hype, all that talk for nothing....but try playing Messi or Robben in center midfield and look at how good they look.
Pogba still had some effect out wide, but if he was in the middle with Vidal, I think that would have been a very good way to start for Juventus. Then brining on the older and wiser Pirlo to bring in some vision with Barcelona getting tired would have been a nice way to swing it. But with both playing and Pogba out wide, instead of Sturari or Pereyra played into Barca's hands who knew they did not have a natural wide player to worry about on the wing, so Dani Alves was given more freedom to roam forward....which is a vital attacking part of Barcelona's game.
Even though Juventus would have been in a stronger position if they followed my philosophy, Barcelona would have still won. Maldini, Baresi and Marcel would have needed to be resurrected for me to change my view. The Juve defence just could not cope when Barcelona attacked and Messi drove the knife into their heart. That is what really changed the game and tipped it for Barcelona. As I warned, if the trio clicked, then it would be game over, which it was.
Pogba is still a great talent who must be played in his natural position in the middle of that park. As for Pirlo, it could be real sad as the Big Apple is calling and he's slowly getting to that time where his legs will be too old to cope with the younger legs in the game. A tale of the old moving on and the new having ridiculously large shoes to fill.
HH
Sent from the Hut
