For both his club and national teams, Pirlo is usually deployed as a deep-lying central midfielder where he acts as the playmaker. Pirlo is regarded as one of the best players at his position by players and experts of the game. Although not gifted with pace, stamina, physicality or notable defensive or tackling abilities, Pirlo has been praised for his touch, technique, close control, and dribbling ability, as well as his flair and creativity. Pirlo is primarily known for his long distance shooting and, in particular, his vision and accurate long-range passing ability, attributes which have led fellow players on the Italian national team to give him the nickname l'architetto ("the architect"), because his long passes frequently set up goal-scoring opportunities. In recent years, Juventus fans also dubbed him il professore ("the professor") and Mozart.