Pirlo: Brazil match will be no friendly

19-Mar-2013 2:00:00 AM

The Azzurri midfielder believes that in football it is misleading to refer to any match with such a term, while Alessio Cerci hopes to make an impact on his first call-up

Andrea Pirlo has dismissed the ‘friendly’ tag being given to Italy’s match with Brazil on Thursday.

The two international giants face off in Geneva in Switzerland and the Juventus midfield icon believes the Azzurri will give their all against the World Cup 2014 hosts.

"We want to wear this jersey in the best way possible," the midfielder told reporters on Monday.

"And it is always a pleasure to take part in games like this one coming up,” continued the former Milan man.

"There are no such things as friendly matches in football, especially when Italy are involved and especially when the opponents are Brazil."

Torino winger Alessio Cerci has been given his first international call-up by head coach Cesare Prandelli, and he has revealed his joy at the honour of being picked and hopes he can show the talent that has been bubbling under the surface for Italy.

"It seems almost impossible to be picked, but I am very happy, and I am enjoying the moment," he said.

"I've always had the label of being 'promising’ but then for various reasons I have not exploded. I have not shown my true value.

"At this time I found a really important as Torino have allowed me to be here and I am looking to the future."

Meanwhile Gianluigi Buffon has accepted that the Azzurri have been lacking in recent clashes with the South American side and believes the friendly will be a tough examination of the Euro 2012 finalists’ progress.

"We have played against Brazil a few times in recent years and, on those occasions, we have fared badly," the veteran goalkeeper explained.

"It is an important test for us because in the end it will give meaningful answers for those that will be part of our future selections and hold our beliefs."

Reports from numerous sources including Repubblica are indicating that Giorgio Chiellini will miss the Selecao clash due to an ankle issue, but will be assessed over the next 48 hours.

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