Fabio Cannavaro — on tactical changes after the World Cup, young players, and competition in the team

**Fabio Cannavaro on Post-World Cup Tactical Changes, Young Players, and Team Competition**

The head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Fabio Cannavaro, participated in a press conference ahead of the friendly match against South Korea. During the press conference, he shared his thoughts on post-World Cup tactical changes, the competitive atmosphere within the team, and young players.

Initially, Cannavaro expressed his pleasure at returning to South Korea and emphasized that tomorrow's match is important for Uzbekistan. The coach noted that significant changes have taken place in the team's squad after the World Cup.

"Our team has undergone many changes after the World Cup, and there have also been many changes in the player roster. We know very well that the Korean national team is a very difficult opponent, and playing against them away from home will not be easy, but showing a good result in tomorrow's game is very important for us," the coach said.

He spoke about the changes made to the squad after three defeats at the World Cup, and the efforts to instill new tactics and ideas into the team. According to him, in the last two matches against Iran and Syria, the players demonstrated these changes on the pitch and achieved victories.

"After three defeats at the World Cup, we tried to make changes to the squad, and now we have won the last two games. After the World Cup, I tried to instill new tactics and ideas into the new national team; they showed themselves well in the games against Syria and Iran and won," Cannavaro said.

The coach also emphasized that participating in the World Cup was a great experience for the players. In his opinion, participating in such a major tournament also affects the players' psychology.

"The World Cup was a very good experience for us. It was our first time, and I think it gave us a lot. After the World Cup, I told my players that we need to maintain this level, work on ourselves every year, and set new, big goals for ourselves."

Cannavaro paid special attention to the development of young players. He stated that if a player between the ages of 17 and 21 is good enough, they should play for strong teams in the Super League.

"Whenever I speak with both the players and the Uzbekistan Football Association, I always say: a player between the ages of 17 and 21 must play for top teams in the Super League. Because this age is considered a period that shows the potential of young Uzbek players and when they can be called up to the national team," the head coach said.

Cannavaro explained that a three-defender system was used at the World Cup, and then the time came to change the formation and instill a new playing philosophy into the team.

He said he realized that an aggressive style of play in Uzbek football is shaped from youth. Therefore, he decided to bring these characteristics into the national team's play as well.

"In Uzbek football, playing aggressively is instilled from youth. Realizing that the youth of Uzbek football is at a very high level, I decided to apply this football to the national team as well," Cannavaro said.

The coach also noted the necessity of physical preparation to play at high intensity. According to him, maintaining a high tempo for 90 minutes is not easy, and therefore, they have been working with the players in this direction for a year since the World Cup.

Cannavaro said that during his initial period after being appointed head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, he did not rush to make drastic changes in the team. He observed and respected the culture, habits, and traditions of the players, and aimed to preserve the results achieved in qualifying for the World Cup.

"When I came as head coach of the Uzbekistan national team a year ago, I did not try to make many changes. First of all, without touching the team as much as possible, I observed and respected the culture, habits, and traditions of these players, because this team had qualified for the World Cup with great results," Cannavaro said.

According to him, after the World Cup, along with the formation, the team's playing philosophy and model also began to be changed. However, the coach tried to preserve the competitiveness, fighting spirit, and sharpness in counter-attacks of the Uzbek players.

Cannavaro said that in tomorrow's game, the goal is to show a good result, just like in the previous two matches. He emphasized the importance of when and how to apply pressing and high intensity.

"It is very important when and how to apply the pressing and intensity from the previous two games. If you do this all the time, without knowing the right time, it can be difficult to show a good game for 90 minutes."

The coach emphasized that during his one year of work as the head coach of the national team, he has started to understand the players better, and the players have also started to understand his demands better. On this basis, a certain level of communication has been established with the team, and tactical changes are being implemented.

Cannavaro also noted the necessity of healthy competition in the national team. According to him, if the same 13–14 players always play, competition disappears. Therefore, they are trying to maintain a competitive atmosphere in the team by involving young players.

"I think there should be healthy competition and friendly struggle in the national team; only then will we achieve good results and continue to develop. If the same 13–14 players always play in the national team, competition disappears."

Cannavaro said he plans to shape the team based on motivation and changes, relying on young players. He stated that they will take the field in the match against Korea to continue the positive results of the previous two games.

As a reminder, the match of the Uzbekistan national team against South Korea will take place on October 6 at 16:00 Tashkent time.