Italy have an architect for European Championship success in Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo was instrumental in helping Juventus to the Serie A title last season.SNS Group

The first round of matches in this, one of the most entertaining and exciting International football tournaments to date, has been full of superb goals and surprise packages.

One thing that has been slightly more predictable, however, was that one of the most impressive players of the tournament so far has without doubt been Andrea Pirlo, arguably one of the world’s few remaining ‘registas’.

With a goal and two assists, it is hard to argue that a 75% contribution to his country’s goal-tally in the competition doesn’t deserve at least some merit from lands afar.

In many ways, the individual performances of the Italian maestro have actually provided a fresh return to the days of old. With the new generation of youngsters in Germany, France and Spain tipped to take the tournament by storm with varying forms of fluid football, it is pleasing that a true member of the Old Guard is still able to stamp his authority on games with the classic long passes and superb set-pieces.

Averaging 5.7 accurate long passes per game, in addition to 2.3 crosses per game and still managing to complete more than 85% of his total distribution so far at the Euros, "l'architetto" (the architect) is clearly as influential as ever for the national side.

Now 33, Pirlo is an integral part of the new Italian 3-5-2 system, involving a flat back three and relatively defensive midfield mind-set, but with pace and attacking quality coming from the forwards as well as wing-backs.

Faced with the creative midfield of the world champions, Spain, and with problems coming into the tournament, Italy set up in a fairly defensive manner in their first game. Happy to concede the possession battle (with Spain holding 65% of the ball), extra emphasis was put on Italy, and specifically on Pirlo, when they did have the ball.

One thing Italy did particularly well against the Spanish was to find space in wide areas. In the absence of any natural forward or wingers on the opposition team, Emmanuele Giaccherini and Christian Maggio were able to hug the touchline and stretch play – allowing Pirlo more time and space as Spain dropped back off the ball. It came as no real surprise that it was the veteran’s perfect pass that set up Antonio Di Natale for the opener.

Against Croatia, Pirlo surprisingly found it more difficult. After a period of easy riding for Italy in the first half, a tactical switch by Slaven Bilic after the break reduced the time Pirlo had on the ball by moving Luka Modric up the pitch and ensuring the Croatian pressing was far more vigorous.

However, after a career as long and successful as his, Pirlo’s experience shone through despite the Croatian dominance in the second half. The playmaker created two goalscoring opportunities, and completed the most successful dribbles of anyone on the pitch (three). In addition to his superb free-kick goal, Pirlo controlled the game in the first half, and ensured the Azzurri stayed in it, despite Mario Mandzukic’s late equaliser.

Finally, against the Irish, it was Pirlo again who had all the luck. The midfield maestro completed an astonishing 92% of his passes in addition to five successful crosses (from twelve attempts) as Italy finally dominated possession with 67% of the ball.

Furthermore, with Ireland already knocked out and the Italians fighting to try to finish top of their group, Pirlo was given more freedom, although within the same framework of the original 3-5-2 formation. The former Milan and current Juventus midfielder, who is appearing in his sixth straight international competition, made the joint-most key passes (four) and had two shots.

With England awaiting the four-time World Champions in the next round, Roy Hodgson may face his toughest task yet in trying to deal with Pirlo. Even if the England manager takes a leaf out of Croatia’s book and alters his formation to stop the playmaker, the Serie A legend has shown already his ability to perform against different tactics and opposition.

Likewise, Pirlo may find it hard to break down an England defence that has seemed well disciplined and organised since Hodgson took over. England have, however, looked vulnerable to shots from range and set-pieces – two areas in which Pirlo just happens to specialise in.

Whoever prevails on Sunday, fans of both sides and neutrals alike are sure to be in for a treat when Pirlo goes up against another veteran of the game with a similar style, Steven Gerrard, who has also excelled so far in the tournament.

You can follow Joss Bennett on Twitter.

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