Pirlo calls Juventus boss `genius`

Rome: Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has praised Antonio Conte as one of the finest football managers in the world.

Under the guide of Conte, Juventus have developed into one of Europe`s strongest football sides and are continuing to improve - something that Pirlo believes to be largely down to the talents of the coach. "I am extremely lucky - I met Antonio Conte," Pirlo said. "I had so many coaches to compare him to, and he is the one that surprised me the most." The Italian suggests his coach is a genius, comparing him to two-time European Cup winner Arrigo Sacchi. "If Arrigo Sacchi was a genius, then what is he?" Pirlo said. "I was expecting a good coach, but not that good. I thought (he was) a coach with a lot of grit and charisma, instead I discovered that tactically and technically he has a lot to teach many of his colleagues," Pirlo said. IANS