Andrea Pirlo has defended Gianluigi Buffon for losing his temper after a penalty was awarded in the final seconds of Juventus’ Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Real Madrid on Wednesday, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport he would have reacted in the same way.
Pirlo, the former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder, said that Buffon’s behaviour cannot be condoned, but at the same time, he feels he would have reacted in the very same way.
“He was angry and at a time like that, anything can come out of your mouth,” Pirlo said. “He would have thought that it was his last chance to win the Champions League. If, out of nowhere, they give a penalty against you, you lose control.
“He may have gone too far, but you’ve got to understand him. It happens that you react like that when you are robbed in such a way. Of course [I would have done the same]. Something like that makes you go out of your mind. Winning is too nice that when you get deprived of it in such a way.”
Pirlo believes Oliver ultimately made the wrong decision, although he admitted it was a call that could have gone either way.
“It’s a classic case of interpretation — you can give it, or you can wave play on,” Pirlo said. “With just 10 seconds left on the clock, if you are wise, you don’t give it and you let the two teams battle it out for victory in extra time.
“I’m very sorry for Gigi and for the lads. For that to happen 10 seconds from the end of such a beautiful game is incredible.”
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