Pirlo approaches 100th cap with style

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Chewing a piece of gum, Andrea Pirlo stroked his full beard, sat back in his chair and considered the challenge of being a marked man on his 100th appearance for Italy.

The Mexico coach, Pirlo was told, has made containing the Italy midfielder a top priority for Sunday's Confederations Cup match at the Maracana stadium.

"It's very nice to hear that a coach of another squad has his eyes on me but I'm used to that," Pirlo responded. "And fortunately I don't play alone. We'll find a way to find the necessary solutions."

Expect Pirlo to find a way through the opposition ranks. It's what he does and has done throughout his career and Sunday should be no different even though the match will mark a memorable milestone for the Juventus player.

Pirlo will hit the century mark in the first official match at the Maracana stadium.

"Any child dreams of playing here, so to play my 100th match in the national team shirt here is extra special," Pirlo said. "I hope to celebrate it well."

Inside Brazil's most revered stadium, Pirlo can pay tribute to the man he modeled his trademark free kicks on.

Pirlo used to watch Juninho with admiration when the Brazil dead-ball specialist played in Europe.

"I saw him kick when he played with Lyon and slowly but surely I tried it myself in training," Pirlo said. "I tried in training to kick it like him."

At 34, Pirlo has already announced he will retire from the national team after next year's World Cup in Brazil.

So who will take his place in the Italy lineup?

Pirlo looked to some of his present teammates, and a couple members of the Italy squad that reached the final of the under-21 European Championship in Israel on Saturday.

"There are many players who are ready, many of them are here already," he said. "Plus there are some kids on the under-21 squad like (Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco) Verratti and (Roma midfielder Alessandro) Florenzi but those will be choices for the coach to make."

For now, though, Pirlo is still making the choices in the heart of Italy's lineup.