Pirlo on upcoming challenge: It will be strange, we’ll be less friendly tomorrow

Reggiana coach Alessandro Nesta has spoken out about the upcoming clash with Andrea Pirlo’s Sampdoria. In a press conference, he discussed the peculiar position of facing his friend as an opponent for the first time.

“We spoke just ten days ago,” Nesta revealed, “but as the match draws near, we each withdraw into our roles. It’ll be quite odd competing as coaches for the first time. There’s a strong friendship between us, but tomorrow we’ll be anything but friendly.”

He added, adopting an optimistic tone, that Reggiana does not underestimate their opponent. “We never start defeated. Sampdoria has had a run of victories. They’ve suffered losses like everyone else, but their wins set them apart.”

His comments emphasise a fascinating tension between personal bonds and professional responsibilities in the world of football. As previously reported, both Nesta and Pirlo, Italian legends, now find themselves competing in the Serie B, drawing even more attention to the league dubbed “the toughest in Europe”. It will be interesting to see how this unique friendship-rivalry plays out on the pitch in the forthcoming clash.