The defending European champions claimed their seventh trophy in Athens in May but Pirlo, speaking after his club's pre-season appearance in the Railway Cup, said he was determined to return to Moscow, where this year's Champions League final will be staged.

Italy international Pirlo, 28, said: "We are fine but we have lots of work to do. It's important that we have got the right spirit."

Pirlo, the FIFA man of the match in last year's World Cup final, added: "Now we've got to know the city (Moscow) we hope to return in May."