Pirlo sees chance for Juve to make the step up
By Brian Homewood
(Reuters) - Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo hopes this could be the season they finally re-establish themselves on the European stage as he dreams of winning the Champions League again before he retires.
Juve's maestro has been helping steer them towards a fourth successive Italian title, yet the gulf between a fading Serie A and the Champions League is so great that they are not seen as a major threat to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
Juve were comprehensively outclassed by Munich in the quarter-finals two seasons ago and failed to make it beyond the group stage last term.
With Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez attracting interest from abroad, and 37-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon still agile, this campaign could be the last real chance of European glory for the current team as they prepare to host Borussia Dortmund in their last 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.
At the heart of their challenge is Pirlo, who will be 36 when this year's final comes around but who continues to work wonders as his breathtaking winner against Atalanta on Friday demonstrated.
"I came to Juve in order to win and we achieved that," Pirlo, who won the Champions League twice with AC Milan, told La Stampa newspaper.
"I am very happy about that but now we must make the next step up the ladder. I'd like to win another Champions League before retiring."
Coach Massimiliano Allegri recognises Pirlo's enduring importance, saying: "He gives the team great shape and, above all, is a point of reference when the team is under pressure.
"Andrea has two magic feet. When he strikes with his right foot he gives the ball an incredible flight."
The first meeting between Juve and Dortmund since the 1997 Champions League final, which the Germans won 3-1, now provides the acid test for the Italian champions.
Although Juergen Klopp's side have struggled in the Bundesliga, their European form has been excellent as they sailed through their group by winning their opening four games.
They have also won their last three Bundesliga games, suggesting the early-season woes are ancient history.
Juve have not lost a home game in any competition since Bayern Munich beat them 2-0 two years ago, the last time a German side visited the Juventus stadium.
"We will not fall into the trap of confusing Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga status with their real quality," said Pirlo.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Ian Chadband)
