Andrea Pirlo's 10 Most Andrea Pirlo Free Kicks

On Tuesday, Andrea Pirlo marked his 100th Champions League appearance in the most Andrea Pirlo way possible: scoring an epic free kick.

It was his second free-kick goal of the week, having found the net against Empoli at the weekend with one of his trademark strikes. 

The Juventus midfielder hasn't scored from open play since 2012 but has sunk an incredible 16 free kicks and a penalty during that period (as per Squawka). 

In his autobiography, the bearded genius revealed that he cracked the code to converting dead balls while sitting on the toilet. Since then, a free kick on the edge of the area has often been as good as a penalty—and Pirlo's technique is always varied and unpredictable. 

So sit back, pour a glass of red, and take in 10 of Pirlo's free kicks... 

Genoa vs. Juventus, 2014

During Juve's visit to Genoa in April, the Old Lady was outplayed for large chunks of the match. However, Pirlo broke the hearts of the home crowd with a glorious 89th-minute free kick that pushed his side a little closer to the Serie A title. 

Cagliari vs. Milan, 2008

Two goals in the last five minutes earned Milan three points at Cagliari in September 2008. Andrea Pirlo bagged the equaliser from around 35 yards, driving the ball with very little spin and giving it a flight path that was virtually impossible for the goalkeeper to track. 

Siena vs. Juventus, 2012

Pirlo claims to spend hours perfecting the loft and trajectory of his dead balls, but he sometimes chooses to catch the defence unaware by rolling it along the floor. 

This cheeky technique was employed against Siena in 2012 and was subsequently emulated by the likes of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

The Juve star pulled off the same style of "daisy cutter" strike in a pre-season match in Singapore over the summer.  

Internazionale vs. Milan, 2007

Pirlo opened the scoring in the Derby della Madonnina of December 2007 with a powerful free kick from the edge of the box.

Having spent three years on the books at Inter without really breaking into the first team, this goal surely carried a sense of vindication. 

Fiorentina vs. Juventus, 2014

In March 2014, Juventus booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League thanks to a game-winning Pirlo dead ball against Fiorentina. 

Despite facing a wall of six Fiorentina players, he makes the whole process look like a foregone conclusion before he even touches the ball. 

Milan vs. Parma, 2002

Pirlo scored two league goals in his debut season with the Rossoneri, including this stunning free kick against Parma in March 2002.

One of the earliest glimpses of Pirlo's dead-ball potential remains one of his finest. 

Juventus vs. Catania, 2012

Pirlo's career renaissance at Juventus began in February 2012, when he scored his first goal for the club. Instead of lifting the ball over the wall, he spotted a gap to the side of it and carefully placed the ball inside the right post. 

It inspired a 3-1 win that put Juve at the top of Serie A, overtaking his former side, Milan. 

Italy vs. England, 2014

This effort from Italy's 2014 World Cup tie with England is the only free kick on the list that wasn't on target, but it is certainly worth including for the stupendous swerve Pirlo puts on the ball. 

After the game, goalkeeper Joe Hart couldn't hide his admiration for the technique. 

Juventus vs. Napoli, 2013

On the way to their third consecutive Scudetto last season, Juve dismissed Napoli 3-0 in Turin. 

Pirlo scored the second goal by lofting the ball perfectly over Napoli's three-man wall and into the top-right corner. 

Italy vs. Mexico, 2013

Italy's 2013 Confederations Cup meeting with Mexico was Pirlo's 100th international appearance. He marked it in style with a superb free kick that gave the Azzurri the lead at the Maracana. 

Pirlo was voted man of the match. 

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