Fabio Cannavaro: “Even a Friendly Match Requires Maximum Readiness”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Fabio Cannavaro, the new head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team, shared his expectations ahead of the friendly match against Kuwait, scheduled to take place in Tashkent.

The Italian coach emphasized that every game presents a serious challenge. “It’s impossible to step onto the field unprepared, so I always stress to the players the importance of being fully ready, even in friendly matches,” Cannavaro stated.

He added that during the current training camp, the selected players would be used for two matches, maintaining an attacking style of play, though not continuously pressing for 90 minutes.

The coach highlighted that, even though some players were called up not on his initiative, the team includes the best athletes in optimal form. “We discuss the game together with the coaching staff and will speak with the players today. Whoever is ready will definitely take the field. I have reviewed all the matches and emphasized the necessity of calling up Turqunboyev and Eshmurodov. Playing for the national team is every footballer’s dream; unfortunately, two of our players got injured,” Cannavaro noted.

The Italian mentor also spoke about collaborating with local specialists. “We cooperate with Timur Kapadze; our football philosophies are similar. He has tremendous experience in Uzbek football. I have no issues working with local coaches, and we may bring someone else onto the staff,” he said.

He added that for him, it is crucial that all 11 players on the field understand the game: “Tactical formations are just numbers. Playing with three central defenders may seem defensive, but in reality, it allows for faster attacking transitions. In my career, I have worked with great coaches and learned a lot from them.”