The head coach of the Uzbekistan national team Fabio Cannavaro, in an interview given to the YouTube channel “Prime Video Sport IT,” shared detailed thoughts about the preparation process for the World Cup.
According to him, returning to the World Cup is an experience connected with great responsibility and strong pressure.
“What it means to return to the World Cup, I can talk about later. Right now I am fully in the preparation process. I am trying to give the players as much information as possible, because this is their first such experience,” he said.
Cannavaro especially emphasized that the pressure at the World Cup is very high and it is important to prepare the team psychologically.
“The World Cup is a very big pressure. Therefore, the players must go onto the pitch with the mindset that ‘we have nothing to lose’. This is a very important psychological aspect,” said the coach.
He also realistically assessed the Uzbekistan national team and noted that the main strength of the team is hard work and discipline.
“We are not yet a big favorite team. We are not a team at the level of champions. But we are a hard-working team that can create difficulties for any opponent,” said Cannavaro.
At the same time, he said he wants players who never give up.
“I want to take to the World Cup players who never give up. This is the main principle,” he emphasized.
According to the coach, the main task is to remove pressure and fear in the first match.
“My task is to remove the pressure of the first match. Only in that match. After that everything will become easier,” he said.
Cannavaro also did not hide that the group stage will be very difficult.
“We are in a very difficult group. Even one point can be a big result. But everything will be shown by the game,” he said.
He also noted that he feels the support of many Italians.
“Many Italians will be happy for us. But the most important thing is that this is Uzbekistan’s first World Cup,” said the coach.
In conclusion, he also spoke about the future Asian Cup.
“After the World Cup there will soon also be the Asian Cup. It will be held in Saudi Arabia. We will go there to enjoy it and to continue growing,” Cannavaro concluded.
