Fabio Cannavaro claims he is fit and ready to lead the defending champions as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign.Cannavaro was the most valuable player of the 2006 event in Germany as he led the Azzurri to the title, but injury prevented him from playing at this summer's European Championships.
Without the inspirational 34-year-old, Italy lost to eventual tournament winners Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals.
The Real Madrid defender insists he has now completely recovered from the ankle injury which forced him to miss the competition in Austria and Switzerland.
"I am fine. I was already ready for the first game of the season," said Cannavaro, who was an unused substitute in Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
"I don't want to think that my injury affected the team at the Euros. It's not one person that changes the team."
The Azzurri were also missing World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi at the Euros.
The Italian Football Federation tempted him to come back to the Azzurri helm not long after deciding against renewing Roberto Donadoni's contract.
"Lippi has the same charisma and the same determination as two years ago," said Cannavaro.
"We know that we have to qualify for the next tournament as defending world champions and we will have more responsibility."
Italy travel to Larnaca to meet Cyprus before hosting Georgia four days later at Udinese's Stadio Friuli.
Without the inspirational 34-year-old, Italy lost to eventual tournament winners Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals.
The Real Madrid defender insists he has now completely recovered from the ankle injury which forced him to miss the competition in Austria and Switzerland.
"I am fine. I was already ready for the first game of the season," said Cannavaro, who was an unused substitute in Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
"I don't want to think that my injury affected the team at the Euros. It's not one person that changes the team."
The Azzurri were also missing World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi at the Euros.
The Italian Football Federation tempted him to come back to the Azzurri helm not long after deciding against renewing Roberto Donadoni's contract.
"Lippi has the same charisma and the same determination as two years ago," said Cannavaro.
"We know that we have to qualify for the next tournament as defending world champions and we will have more responsibility."
Italy travel to Larnaca to meet Cyprus before hosting Georgia four days later at Udinese's Stadio Friuli.
Thursday 4th September 2008
football
No comments:
Post a Comment