• Andrea Pirlo, one of Italy's greatest midfielders, played a transformative role at AC Milan.

• Pirlo's time at Milan included multiple domestic and international trophies.

• His deep-lying playmaker position and partnership with other midfielders were crucial to Milan's success.

A player whose name will always be there in the conversation of greatest midfielders the game has ever seen, and undoubtedly one of the best talents ever produced by Italian football. There are very few players who were as good as Pirlo when it came to the deep-lying playmaker role, and his influence in the midfield was immense for any team he played. Pirlo’s brilliance when it came to several aspects like ball control, vision, technique, passing range, and free kick ability were what made him a world-class play. This article will be looking at one of the most successful phases in his career. Let us now look at Andrea Pirlo’s time at AC Milan.

The early years at Milan

Pirlo joined Milan from rivals Inter for a €17 million transfer fee. It was under Carlo Ancelotti at Milan that Pirlo developed into one of the finest players in Italian football. Ancelotti used him as a deep-lying playmaker in his 4–3–1–2 and 4–3–2–1 formations at Milan. He made memorable midfield partnerships with the likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, and Massimo Ambrosini during his time at the club

The Italian made his debut for Milan as a substitute in their 2-0 win over BATE Borisov in the UEFA Cup. His first season with Milan ended with a 4th placed finish in the league and  also reaching the semi-final of the UEFA Cup, the club's best ever result in the competition.

Greater success was achieved in the 2002-2003 season, as Pirlo played a major role in the team's brilliance across the season. Even though Milan finished 3rd in the league that season, they went on to win the Coppa Italia and Champions League.

The season that followed saw Milan win the 2003 UEFA Super Cup vs Porto, but they ended up losing both the 2003 Supercoppa Italiana and 2003 Intercontinental Cup finals. Pirlo and Milan were able to end the season on a high though, as they became league champions and also won the 2004 Supercoppa Italiana.

Period of heartbreak

AC Milan finished as runners up in Serie A to Juventus in the 2004–05 season. That season's Champions League saw the very best of Pirlo, as he was instrumental in getting AC Milan to the final. The 2005 UEFA Champions League Final is still widely remembered to this day, as Liverpool went on to make a legendary comeback that saw the match end 3-3 and the reds win by Penalty shootout to become European champions. It ended in heartbreak for Milan.

The season that followed saw Milan yet again finish as runners-up in Serie A to Juventus (before their 30-point deduction due to their involvement in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal), while the Champions League saw them lose in the semi-finals vs eventual champions Barcelona.

Another European title

The 2006–07 season saw Milan finish the league in 4th position, while they crashed out of the Coppa-Italia semi-finals. It was in the Champions League that Milan went on to play at their best, especially Pirlo. The Italian played a vital role in their Champions League campaign that season, and they ended up reaching the finals. Milan were set to face Liverpool, the same side that gave them an unforgettable heartbreak 2 years ago. Revenge was finally taken, as Milan won 2-1 to become the champions of Europe. Milan eventually went on to win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup as well.

End of an era

The seasons that followed saw Milan go. Trophyless, as they struggled both domestically and in Europe. Pirlo's final season with the club finally saw them back in form domestically,and his final appearance for the club was as a half-time substitute for Ambrosini as the club celebrated their Serie A title with a 4–1 victory over Cagliari.

Pirlo soon announced his departure from the club, marking the end of an era at the club. He left the club as one of the greatest ever players in their history.

Andrea Pirlo AC Milan Stats

Source: Transfermarkt

What were the key achievements of Andrea Pirlo at AC Milan? 

Andrea Pirlo's key achievements at AC Milan include winning the Champions League twice, Serie A titles, and multiple domestic and international trophies. His deep-lying playmaker role and exceptional skills were pivotal to Milan's success.