I think De Rossi has proven to be our best player so far. He played very well. He defended well and he rarely made any mistake. He will be a key player in midfield. He will help Pirlo. He can make good passes and he also can score. De Rossi has exceeded all of our expectations. A lot of fans will think that Pirlo has been the best so far, but I think De Rossi has done extremely well.
It was a toss up for me between De Rossi and Pirlo, but in the end I had to give it to Pirlo. Our midfield would be useless without him, and our attack would've been even less effective (which is a scary thought). Top marks to De ROssi though for looking absolutely world class playing a role that isn't his natural position.
With 1 goal and 1 assist, Pirlo is a good pick for best player from first two matches. De Rossi might be given equal standing for countless key interceptions vs. Spain and for good "administration" vs. Croatia. Buffon has also been excellent. And for me Claudio Marchisio has been Italy's most improved player, over two matches he's shown a great improvement from 2010 form. Let's not forget how much one game can change everything. Cristiano Ronaldo was supposedly the goat of Euro 2012, then he scored two vs. Oranje yesterday. We'll see.
Easily De Rossi as Pirlo was terrible against Ireland. And one must remember even though I am not suprised by it because I said it back in January, Italy will go far with De Rossi at CB. He is an added weapon leading the team from the back and no central defender is in his league even though he has hardly played the position. He is the true leader of this team.
By the way, I don't doubt DDR's leadership qualities. But, without Pirlo, this team would be on holiday already. He is the glue that holds Italy together and has been for years now.
Pirlo stats from this past season Apps 37 Assists 13 Key Passes 125 Total Passes 3196 Successful 2778 Crosses 93/272 Longballs 414/488 Throughballs 33/67 Tackles 79
Agreed De Rossi has been by far our best player. Pirlo's been very good but he's been shakey as well at times. Honorable mentions to Cassano, Marchisio and Bonucci.
Pirlo has easily been the best player over the first three games. He has really been pulling the strings in midfield and with two assists and 1 goal out of 4 goals scored the stats speak for themselves. What is alarming though is the way he has been fading in games and in particular how Italy suffers when he seems to tire in the latter part of matches. Obviously he is not as young as he used to be and three games in 8 days took its toll. But even though he was visibly tired in the last game v Ireland and had a poor game by his standards he still managed to provide a great ball for Cassano which proves his quality. Pirlo will definitely benefit from the longer 6 day break and should really fire against England. If he had played from day 1 in 2010 we would certainly have progressed from the group. In second place I would go with Cassano who has really been effective at hold the ball up forward and getting himself and playing teammates into good scoring positions. Whenever he is one on one with an opponent there is an air of expectancy because he almost always beats them to provide a incisive pass or shot on goal. A criticism of his game would be that he doesn't shoot when he can and sometimes should. He like Pirlo also fades in the latter part of games, but who can complain with what he went through this year I think it is a blessing that he is even in this side. On the bright side though I think his staying power is definitely improving as the tournament goes on. I thought he actually looked fresher late on in the Ireland game than he did in any of the previous. I'm no fitness expert but with the "rest" that he has had over the year perhaps he might benefit as his fitness improves deeper into the tournament.
Pirlo, even though he admits he had a bad game versus Ireland. De Rossi could surpass him if he has a lights out game against England. He's stepped up the the plate for sure.
This. Italy just isn't the same with Pirlo out there. Opponents know this, respect Pirlo more than anyone on the squad.
Pirlo is not just Italy's best player but based on performances to date also a very strong contender for the player of the tournament.