It's match day, Everton V Juventus, and we arrive 4 hours early. I'm attending with a group of friends at the agreed upon establishment where all supporters will congregate before the game. Very lively, a few more Evertonians than Juve supporters, but close in numbers. A third contingent are the Americans who are starved to see European football. They are mixed in with the team supporters, mostly with Evertonian mates, and are as excited as anyone. All are having a great time and the singing begins. Good stuff, loud and proud from both sides. Suddenly, an enormous eruption of boos from the back. Getting louder, and moving forward thru the crowd. We're up front, trying to figure out what is happening. And then a flash of red and all is clear. Red ****e moving thru the crowd. Evertonians break out in song, insulting as best they can. He approaches the Juve contingent and they are as boisterous as the Evertonians. The whole place screaming at ONE bat **** crazy Liverpudlian. He supplies the crowd with a one finger salute and exits. Both sets of fans are now as one. Pictures, hugs, stories and lies. Fantastic. I'm one of only two others in the crowd wearing a kit not associated with Everton/Juve. The red and white stripes are feeling very conspicuous at that moment. But, no fear. I can't even remember how many came by with a nice word or compliment: "love the top", "how you gonna do this year", "go Paolo!" and on and on. The craic is good. We go to the game. The Americans are absolutely desperate to see the stars in the starting lineup. We've been waiting for months and we want PIRLO!. Ooops, no PIRLO!, no Buffon, no Chiellini. But, Tevez, Asamoah (best player on the pitch) and Llorente are playing. Everton sends out their first team. Baines, Fellaini and the whole crew. The game is lively and fun, but everyone looks a little rusty. Then it happens in the second half. Substitutions. The crowd stands as one (25,000) and yes, PIRLO! is coming on. We all go crazy, even the Everton supporters. If they're gonna win, they want PIRLO! on the pitch. A family of Phillipino descent are seated to my left and they absolutely cannot contain themselves. I look at the stands and the people around me, and everyone is emotional. Ridiculously so. The Italians want to see their hero, and now they will. The Italian women are beside themselves. The Evertonians want to win at all costs, but are happy to do it against PIRLO!. And the Americans, the Americans want to see the stars, the players they watch on tv, the players they read and dream about, the players that rarely set foot on a pitch in their country. The adulation is amazing. PIRLO! delivers a stinker. A genuine stinker. But he is magnificent in doing so, only PIRLO! can be that wonderful while being that horrible. No one cares. The game ends in a tie. PKs on the way. Everton first, and after five, they've scored four. Juventus has connected on all four attempts and only need to convert the final attempt to win. Who has Juve saved for last? Of course, it's PIRLO! He walks with absolute magnificence from midfield to the spot. Completely aware of himself, completely aware of his royalty. The crowd is absolutely crazy. Everyone is on their feet, everyone is screaming. Tonight has not been a good night, but he can make amends here. He senses the moment. This is PIRLO!, and he will not disappoint. He wastes no time, steps to the ball calmly and shoots! The crowd screams as the ball.......GOES WIDE RIGHT BY THREE FEET!!!!!! Then something amazing happens. The crowd gets louder, more animated, even more filled with joy (except of course the Italians). PIRLO! has missed the game winner and the neutrals are overjoyed. Because even in the end, the result is about a football hero, the result is about him. PIRLO! decided the game, win or lose. It could be no other way.
Nice read. Nothing needs said about Pirlo, an all time great, and probably the player on earth that makes the game look the easiest. Pure class.
Fair enough. But this will probably be our ONLY game of the year. We don't do MLS and the Nat'l squad isn't scheduled for a stop in the bay area. Plus, my Everton mate is the most passionate football man I know. There were so many who came haven't been seen in years, all together again for the evening. If you think I was over the top, you should have seem them!
Bit dispointed you didn't mention John 'PIRLO' Stones' penalty mate, glad you had a good time though mate! You were probably alright with Evertonians anyway just because you're Newcastle's rivals!
Yeah I was up at 4am in front of my laptop! It was a decent game for you at least! what's with Americans and adverts during the game though?
We booed during every one that played on the main screen during the game. Funny as hell. Not certain how they were aired on your feed tho? Did they interrupt the game?
