Alonso v. Pirlo

[dmishra]

The two best deep-lying playmakers of this generation. So who’s better?

IMO, they’re both equally good passers. Pirlo is the better set-piece taker, but Alonso has more defensive nous to his game than Pirlo, and is a better tackler. On the balance of things, I think Alonso shades it marginally. What do you think?

Their career honours, FWIW:

Alonso

At club level

1 league title, 2 domestic cups, 1 CL

At national level

1 World Cup, 2 Euros

Pirlo

At club level

3 league titles, 1 domestic cup, 2 CLs

At national level

1 World Cup

 

[Modo]

I think we're too biased to answer that question objectively.

Alonso of course!!

 

[red_maradona]

passing, technique, vision they are on a par. the two advantages pirlo has I think is are (a) his movement with the ball (see italy's goal against spain during first round where pirlo ghosts past a few players) and (b) pirlo is better at free kicks. Therefore I think Pirlo has the edge.

 

[Glen C]

passing, technique, vision they are on a par. the two advantages pirlo has I think is are (a) his movement with the ball (see italy's goal against spain during first round where pirlo ghosts past a few players) and (b) pirlo is better at free kicks. Therefore I think Pirlo has the edge.

I think pirlo has the edge due to the fact that he's better going forward. He's more likely to make that killer pass out of the two. Both need a defensive midfielder next to them otherwise they are screwed.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Pirlo is a far better attacking player than Xabi, and the through balls he's thread in the final 1/3 are things Xabi never does (Not for lack of talent, but due to him playing farther back most of the time). Both are excellent players, but if I had to take 1 of them for us? I'd take Xabi as he suits England far better than Pirlo does imo. Italy? Spain? Pirlo.

 

[Squiggles]

I love them both as footballers. I'd take Alonso, but really it's like choosing an Aston Martin over a Rolls Royce.

Xabi shades it for me because of his defensive ability which doesn't get enough credit, IMO. He covers a huge amount of ground, is a good at pressing and tackling and can win headers. He can also dictate the tempo, like he did for Liverpool, or tame down his game to bring in the more incisive players, like he does for Spain.

 

[irishred]

They are two exceptional talents and a joy to watch. The thing is, Alonso's Champion's League could very easily have been 3 CL's for Pirlo and Alonso rarely played for Spain in their Euro 2008 triumph. Then again Alonso played for us and Real Sociedad without a chance really of winning a title, whereas Pirlo was playing for two of Serie A's top teams expecting to win the title.

 

[RolandG]

Xabi can do everything that Pirlo does and is better at defending. I'd take Alonso every day of the week. Maybe I'm biased but so what!

 

[keniget]

I think they're different players. I'd compare Pirlo more to Xavi.

 

[Pesam]

I think they're different players. I'd compare Pirlo more to Xavi.

Is the correct answer.

 

[Spionkop69]

I think they're different players. I'd compare Pirlo more to Xavi.

Yep and its Xavi everytime for me.