Former AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani finally admits that selling Andrea Pirlo to Juventus in 2011 was a huge mistake.
Adriano Galliani never forgets a thing. The former AC Milan CEO has not forgotten especially the transfer of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus in 2011. Interviewed by Corriere dello Sport, Galliani revealed that he met Pirlo in Monzello on 5 August for the Monza friendly match against Juventus Under 19.
On that occasion the historic Rossoneri executive backed the former midfielder in his new adventure as coach. “You will see that you will do well on the bench too – I told him. Three days later he was promoted as coach of Juventus’ first team”.
Galliani and Pirlo have remained on good terms, despite the transfer in 2011. A separation that the former Rossonero cannot forgive himself: “It was a mistake, my biggest mistake, in collaboration with others. I don’t remember who… nine years have gone by“.
Adriano Galliani also revealed some nice anecdotes to Corriere dello Sport: “Pirlo was a coach already when he was playing. He studied a lot. Pippo Inzaghi was another who took care of every detail, he also knew if the defender marking him had had a physical problem, so as to point him to that area, or if he was not good in the air“.
“Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, on the other hand, were lazy. The phenomenon the day before the match against Siena had eaten two plates of pasta in addition to half a kilo of bread. Ancelotti and I invited him not to overdo it. Ronaldo stood up with his mouth full and told us it was the others who had to worry. He scored two goals. Ronaldinho didn’t even know who we were playing against the next day, as if it didn’t concern him“.