Stop playing up the Andrea Pirlo situation.

That’s New York City FC coach Patrick Vieira’s stance, and he’s sticking to it, insisting he’s been subbing the pricey Italian midfielder because of tactical reasons – and not because of the 37-year-old’s fitness.

Pirlo has been substituted out of five straight games. Last week, in NYCFC’s 2-1 loss against Orlando City, Pirlo lasted just 56 minutes. Though Pirlo’s jogging pace is reminiscent of someone on a mid-day stroll through Central Park, that’s just fine with Vieira.

“I don’t expect Andrea to run like an Alex Ring,” Vieira said, referring to Pirlo’s 26-year-old midfield counterpart. “But I don’t expect Alex Ring to play like Andrea because they are different.”

Although Pirlo has yet to record an assist in seven matches, he does offer an effortless calm in the middle of the field, and Vieira is encouraged by the dynamic among his three midfielders – Pirlo, Ring and Maxi Moralez.

“He is the one that switches the light in our game,” said Vieira before NYCFC travel to Columbus to take on the Crew on Saturday night (7 p.m.; YES). “Like we’re in a dark room and Andrea switches the light on, and our games starts to breathe and our game starts to be a little bit more clear. This is what he brings us.”

Saturday’s game marks the start of a brutal six-game stretch against better competition. It doesn’t help that NYCFC (10 points) will play five of those games away from Yankee Stadium, and they could start the punishing slate without star striker David Villa, who is listed as questionable because of illness.

The Crew (13 points) like to play like NYCFC — with a focus on possession while attacking from the wings. They rank third in MLS in possession (53 percent); NYCFC is first (58 percent).

Columbus will look to rebound from a tough 2-0 loss last week to the Red Bulls in which midfielder Artur broke his wrist in the early minutes of the game. The Crew have depth, and could bring back defender Jonathan Mensah, a Designated Player who has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury.

“They didn’t have a good game against Red Bulls, but they stick to their philosophies,” Vieira said of the Crew, who are unbeaten in four home games this season. “It’ll be another tough game for us because of the way they are creating chances [and] passing the ball around.”