MX23RW : Tuesday, March 25 19:23:12| >> :600:389558:389558:

Andrea Pirlo: 'Playing in MLS may have hindered my Italy hopes'

Andrea Pirlo claims that his Italy chances may have been hindered by his move to MLS side New York City FC, but is still hopeful that he can make the Euro 2016 squad.

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has admitted that his international chances may have been hindered by his move to the MLS, but is still hopeful that he can make the Euro 2016 squad.

The 37-year-old, now plying his trade at American outfit New York City FC, was left out of Azzurri boss Antonio Conte's 28-man training camp this week.

"When someone decides to come to the United States, he knows what he's getting into. I reflected on this and I knew what the risks were," Pirlo told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's clear that anyone who plays in Belgium or another league with less quality still has a chance of making the Champions League or the Europa League. And that's what makes the difference.

"Conte has still not named the final squad. The players who are still playing in official games have not been called up. Sebastian [Giovinco, of Toronto FC] and I talked to Conte about the decision. It's still possible."

Pirlo, formerly of Juventus and AC Milan, has represented Italy in eight international tournaments.

ID:273198: cacheID:273198:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2109:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Italy's coach Antonio Conte follows the action during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group H qualifying football match Norway vs Italy on September 9, 2014
Read Next:
Antonio Conte acquitted of match-fixing
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia5401126612
2Charlotte FCCharlotte FC5311104610
3Inter MiamiInter Miami431094510
4Nashville SCNashville531183510
5Chicago Fire5311129310
6Columbus Crew52306339
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls52216428
8New York City FCNY City52216518
9Orlando City5212131127
10FC CincinnatiCincinnati521268-27
11DC United513179-26
12Atlanta UnitedAtlanta512268-25
13New England RevolutionNew England401315-41
14Toronto5014612-61
15CF MontrealMontreal501429-71

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver5401105512
2Austin FCAustin53024319
3Los Angeles FCLos Angeles53026609
4St Louis City52214138
5Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd52217618
6Colorado RapidsColorado522167-18
7Dallas521278-17
8Portland TimbersPortland521267-17
9San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes52038806
10Real Salt LakeSalt Lake520359-46
11Seattle SoundersSeattle51227705
12Houston DynamoHouston502338-52
13Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy5023410-62
14Sporting Kansas CityKansas5014510-51
15San Diego FC00000000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!