Sydney FC could face Italian great Pirlo in FFA Cup clash

Italian legend Andrea Pirlo could be set to pull on his boots again for a tiny suburban club in Victoria.

Italian great Andrea Pirlo. Picture: Getty Images

Andrea Pirlo has played for some of the biggest clubs in the game and in some of the most revered stadiums in world football and the Italian legend could be set to pull on his boots again for a tiny Victorian club that struggles to get 800 to their very modest suburban venue.

That is looming as a possibility if National Premier League club Avondale City pulls off an audacious move to sign Pirlo for a one-off match against A-League giants Sydney FC in an FFA Cup quarterfinal next week.

While the club is making no ­official comment, a spokesman confirmed yesterday that “the club is waiting to hear from his management” after making the ­approach two weeks ago.

There are some suggestions the deal is at an advanced stage and is close to being finalised though it has also been suggested by one source that “there is zero chance he will come here”.

Still, it is the sort of news that has captured the imagination of the Australian soccer community given Pirlo’s standing in the game.

While the 39-year-old retired from professional football in April after a remarkable 22-year career in the top flight of world football, the World Cup winner would still be a massive drawcard and would create huge publicity for a club many Australians, let alone anyone outside the country, would not have heard about.

A club with strong ties to the local Italian community, Avondale has had a rapid rise in the professional ranks in Melbourne. It has won promotion in five of its past eight seasons, earning a place in the top tier of the Victorian NPL in 2014.

They boast a number of players who have figured in the A-League, notably Stefan Zinni and Jonatan Germano.

Andrea Pirlo - famous football player

Avondale beat former NSL ­giants Marconi Stallions 4-1 in a round of 32 FFA Cup match before accounting for Devonport City 4-1 in a round of 16 game that earned it the right to play Sydney FC.

Pirlo is one of the greats of the modern era, a majestic player with skill and vision who won a World Cup with Italy in 2006, two Champions Leagues (with AC Milan) and six Serie A titles (two with AC Milan and four with Juventus).

After achieving all he could, he left Italy to join New York City in the MLS in a deal worth $US8 million a season, playing three seasons before retiring in November last year.

Pirlo hasn’t played since a testimonial in his honour at the San Siro in Milan in May.

Fitness would not be an issue as his skill alone would be enough to carry him through. However, he struggled because of injuries in his last two seasons in MLS.

If he accepts the Avondale offer, it could present some problems for the club. The game against Sydney is set down for the 5000-capacity ABD Stadium in Broadmeadows, about 15km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD.

The stadium would not be able to cope with the expected crowd to see Pirlo, which would mean a switch in venue. Unfortunately, AAMI Park will be in use for another FFA Cup quarter-final between Melbourne City and Western Sydney, leaving Avondale with few options.