Pirlo eyeing successful Champions League run with Juventus

Aug 9, 2012 4:25:00 PM

The midfielder has spoken of how he hopes his side challenge on all fronts this campaign, and has also named the 2006 World Cup as the most memorable moment of his career

Juventus' Andrea Pirlo has expressed his desire for his side to make their mark in Serie A and the Champions League during the upcoming season.

Speaking ahead of the Supercoppa clash with Napoli in Beijing on Saturday, the Italy star hopes that the Bianconeri will build on their successful 2011-12 season, where they clinched the Serie A title by going through the entire campaign unbeaten.

“We have just started our new season, and we are just as determined as we were last year,” Pirlo told reporters at a press conference in China.

“We really hope Juventus can win the Serie A title again, and take our chance in the Champions League. The Champions League is an attractive opportunity.”

The former Milan midfielder also identified Italy’s victorious World Cup 2006 campaign as his fondest memory, though he was quick to move on from their loss to Spain in the recent Euro 2012 final.

“The World Cup in 2006 was definitely the most exciting moment in my life. But for me, the Euro 2012 final was heartbreaking. But we need open a new page in our lives, and look forward.”

Pirlo also maintained that the 2012 Ballon d’Or would be given to a player who performs well in the 2012-13 Champions League, and named Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta as his favourites to win the award.

“I think the Ballon d’Or will be given to someone who is successful in the Champions League. I think that it may be won by [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Andres] Iniesta.”

The 33-year-old also joked about his video game exploits with former Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta, enthusing: “I played for about 10 years with Alessandro [Nesta] because we stayed in the same hotel room. But in Juventus, I did not find a new partner to replace him!”