Andrea Pirlo urges Juventus to retain focus after beating Real Madrid
Turin (Italy), May 6 Delighted after his team's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the European Champions League here, Juventus midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo on Wednesday urged his team not to lose focus if they want to continue their success in the second leg. Recently crowned Italian Serie A champions Juventus thumped defending champions Real 2-1 at the Juventus Stadium riding on goals from former Real player Alvaro Morata and Argentine journeyman Carlos Tevez. Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Real.
"It was a great night, we have demonstrated our character and our value! Now we must remain focused and repeating ourselves in madrid!," Pirlo wrote on Facebook.
Juventus have a one-goal advantage for the second leg that is set for next week at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Pirlo said his team sent a message to the current Champions League holders that they are focused on making the final.
"We sent the message that we are here, we want this final and we'll fight to the end in Madrid too," the 35-year-old was quoted as saying by espnfc.com.
"It was a game, there is another and we need the same belief and focus. We have to go to Madrid with the confidence we can get to the final.
"We need to repeat this performance with technique and concentration."
A trip to the Champions League final in Berlin would be a homecoming of sorts for Pirlo and several of his Juventus teammates, who were in the Italian team that won the World Cup there in 2006.
"The phrase 'We're going to Berlin' always remains in my head, I hope it can happen again. Is it destiny? I hope so," Pirlo said.
Pirlo was coy in his response to questions about his future after saying this week that he'd leave Juventus if the team won the Champions League.
"Let's win it first and then we'll see," Pirlo said.
However, Pirlo earlier had said that a win over Madrid would tee up a dream scenario for his possible farewell to the club.
"To complete my journey in Turin with the Champions League in my pocket would be the culmination of a dream," Pirlo, who won the competition twice while at AC Milan, had told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"(It would be) something incredible (to reach the final). I will go on (playing) as long as I have the same great desire to train every day."