Cannavaro: ‘I smile’ at Italy’s problem, Buffon ‘struggled’ with Capello

Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro insists the Azzurri have lost solidity to ‘copy the attacking phase’ from other countries and reveals Gigi Buffon could have left Juventus because of Fabio Capello.

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Italy have missed out on World Cup qualification for the third time in a row, so fans and pundits alike have been examining the issues facing Italian football.

Even if a lack of talent, especially in attack, has been seen as one of the biggest problems for the national team, many, including Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti, have argued that the Azzurri must regain their defensive solidity.

Cannavaro: Italy knew how to ‘defend and suffer’

Ex-defender Cannavaro, the man who lifted the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in 2006, certainly feels the same.

“I smile at this modern football we want to impose in Italy, because one positive thing we had was knowing how to defend and, above all, how to suffer,” Cannavaro told Prime Video via Tuttosport.

“In recent years, instead of preserving our strength, which was then copied all over the world, we lost it and tried to copy the attacking phase. We’ve lost our identity. We conceded four goals to Israel and four to Norway. When I think about that, it gives me chills.”

The interview was conducted by another 2006 Italy World Cup winner, Luca Toni, who then showed Cannavaro an iconic 1997 picture of the defender tackling Brazil star Ronaldo alongside Paolo Maldini.

“In this picture, there are two philosophies for viewing football,” Cannavaro said.

“Brazil, with its flair and five World Cups, two of which they won against us. And the Italian school of defenders, in which we have always been masters. There are nine World Cups in this photo.”

A former Juventus, Inter and Napoli defender, Cannavaro left Juve in 2006 in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal, joining Capello at Real Madrid.

Later that year, Cannavaro would also win the Ballon d’Or. Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero and Buffon, on the other hand, remained at Juventus in Serie B.

“Del Piero and Capello struggled with Buffon. They were not on good terms. I’m not sure Gigi would have stayed at Juve if Capello had remained. Del Piero didn’t play much because Ibra and Trezeguet played,” Cannavaro concluded.

“I played for Juve, Inter and Napoli. Crazy clubs, but there [at Real Madrid] is like a movie. I reunited with Capello and Emerson. Cassano was there, but above all, it’s the Real Madrid world, like a film. Besides having the history our clubs have, they have an extra touch of cinema.”