Stephan Lichtsteiner hails former Juventus teammate Andrea Pirlo as 'an alien'
Former Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has described his old teammate Andrea Pirlo as "an extraterrestre" (an alien) due to the midfielder's otherworldly talent. The anecdote came during an interview with the Swiss full-back, who now coaches Basel, reflecting on their shared time in Turin.
Lichtsteiner recalled Pirlo's immediate impact upon his arrival at Juventus in 2011, a move that followed the playmaker's controversial free transfer from rivals AC Milan. "He amazed me like this at the first retreat," Lichtsteiner said, highlighting how Pirlo's technical quality and vision were evident from the very first training sessions. The comments offer a personal insight into a signing that would fundamentally reshape the club's destiny.
The context of Pirlo's move is crucial to understanding Lichtsteiner's praise. Arriving at the age of 32, many in Italian football considered Pirlo to be in decline after a decorated spell at Milan. Juventus, however, secured him on a free transfer, a piece of business now regarded as one of the most transformative in Serie A history. Under manager Antonio Conte, Pirlo became the regista at the base of a midfield that propelled Juventus to the first four titles of their current nine-year Scudetto streak, which began in the 2011-12 season.
Lichtsteiner, who joined from Lazio that same summer, was a key component of Conte's system, providing relentless running on the right flank. His perspective underscores how Pirlo's effortless class elevated the entire squad. The midfielder's pinpoint long passes often initiated attacks for the wing-backs, creating a perfect symbiotic relationship on the pitch. Pirlo's influence extended beyond domestic success, as he was instrumental in Juve's run to the 2015 Champions League final.
The midfielder's legacy at Juventus is secure, having made 164 appearances across four seasons, winning four league titles and one Coppa Italia. His style redefined the deep-lying playmaker role in Italy and brought a new era of sophistication to Juventus's play. Lichtsteiner's "alien" comment echoes sentiments long held by fans and pundits about Pirlo's unique, preternatural ability to control the tempo of a game.
For Lichtsteiner, now embarking on his managerial career in his native Switzerland, the experience of playing alongside such a talent clearly left a lasting impression. His remarks serve as a reminder of the intangible benefits of a strategic free transfer, which brought a player whose value far exceeded any potential financial cost. The partnership between the industrious defender and the mercurial midfielder became a hallmark of one of the most dominant periods in Juventus's history.
