01 November 2014
Goalscorer Andrea Pirlo is confident he will soon be back to peak physical condition after getting an important 90 minutes under his belt in this evening’s 2-0 win over Empoli.
The midfielder, who opened the scoring with a trademark free-kick from 25 yards, has been gradually eased back into action following an injury picked up during pre-season - but claims he is edging ever closer to regaining his full match sharpness.
Speaking after the final whistle in Tuscany, the 35-year-old said: “I’m improving, working well during the week and feel better with every game I play. I hope to be back in peak condition as soon as possible.”
Tonight’s win, which takes Juventus three points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A, was the byproduct of a professional display that Pirlo believed to be just what the doctor ordered after the midweek reverse to Genoa.
“It was a difficult game but we barely gave them a sniff, grew in stature after the break and then wrapped things up. It was important to win after Wednesday and Roma’s defeat this afternoon.”
The triumph will give the Bianconeri an important confidence boost ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Olympiacos, an encounter the midfielder claims must be won at all costs.
He concluded: “It was an important sign - mainly for ourselves - that enables us to prepare as best we can for Tuesday’s game. It’s like a final and we must put in a great performance because only one result will do.”
