Pirlo calls Juventus boss 'genius'

Rome, April 21 (IANS): Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has praised Antonio Conte as one of the finest football managers in the world.

Under the guide of Conte, Juventus have developed into one of Europe’s strongest football sides and are continuing to improve – something that Pirlo believes to be largely down to the talents of the coach, reports Xinhua.

“I am extremely lucky – I met Antonio Conte,” Pirlo said. “I had so many coaches to compare him to, and he is the one that surprised me the most.”

The Italian suggests his coach is a genius, comparing him to two-time European Cup winner Arrigo Sacchi.

“If Arrigo Sacchi was a genius, then what is he?” Pirlo said.

“I was expecting a good coach, but not that good. I thought (he was) a coach with a lot of grit and charisma, instead I discovered that tactically and technically he has a lot to teach many of his colleagues,” Pirlo said.