Cannavaro makes a bold decision: from now on, form matters more than reputation

A new chapter is beginning for the Uzbekistan national team. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro has made it clear that players will now be called up not for their past achievements or reputation, but based on their current form and performances on the pitch.

The Italian coach announced that the squad will be rejuvenated ahead of the Asian Cup, the tactical formation will change, and competition within the national team will intensify. He also responded to reports about his salary and revealed unexpected details about his coaching staff.

“Past achievements will no longer be enough”

Cannavaro’s most important statement at the press conference concerned the criteria for selecting players for the national team.

“From now on, we will not call players up for their past achievements. I will call up those who prove themselves.”

This decision means that no player is guaranteed a permanent place in the national team. A player’s past performances, reputation or experience will no longer be the main criteria; current form at club level and performance in training will take priority.

Cannavaro had already said before the World Cup that he would not select players based on age or reputation, but would give opportunities to those who convinced him. Therefore, this new statement is an even firmer version of his previous approach.

Such a policy could serve as a warning to experienced players and a major opportunity for younger ones. From now on, every player will be required to play regularly for their club and deliver results in order to return to the national team or keep their place in it.

Behruz Karimov — Cannavaro’s bold choice

The coach also announced that he would place greater trust in new players during preparations for the Asian Cup.

“There will be changes to the squad before the Asian Cup. We will involve more young players. As for Behruz Karimov, when I fielded him against Colombia, many people called it a major risk. But I will continue to trust young players.”

Behruz Karimov started Uzbekistan’s first World Cup match against Colombia. Despite making his debut at a major tournament, the young player was active and hit the crossbar late in the game. Although Uzbekistan lost the match 3–1, Karimov’s performance strengthened the coach’s faith in him.

In Cannavaro’s view, young players should not be afraid of making mistakes. If they are not given opportunities in competitive matches with real pressure, rather than only in friendlies, they will never gain experience at international level.

This approach suggests that several new names could appear in the squad before the Asian Cup.

The main formation will be 4-3-3

Cannavaro also indicated that the national team’s tactical model would change. His main plan is to use a 4-3-3 formation based on three forwards and an energetic midfield.

“The tactical formation will now change. My main tactical system is 4-3-3, and we could not implement it because of Aliqulov’s injury.”

Husniddin Aliqulov’s injury forced the coaching staff to turn to other tactical solutions at the World Cup. With limited options in central defence, Cannavaro relied more heavily on a system with three defenders.

Switching to 4-3-3 will require completely different movement from the team. Wingers must track back, central midfielders must cover considerable distances, and defenders must be ready to play with a high defensive line.

Therefore, the changes to the squad are not solely about bringing in younger players. Cannavaro will also be looking for footballers who fit his core tactical ideas.

Uzbekistan will not go to the Asian Cup merely to gain experience

While the World Cup was a historic experience for Uzbekistan, the coach’s demands at the Asian Cup will be completely different.

“We are not going to the Asian Cup just to enjoy ourselves. I said from the very beginning: do not expect results at the World Cup, but we will go to the Asian Cup without fearing anyone.”

Cannavaro had also said at a pre-World Cup press conference that winning the Asian Cup was one of his main objectives. He viewed the World Cup as a learning experience, while the Asian Cup would be a tournament demanding a clear result.

This statement sets a serious task for the national team. Reaching the knockout stage or simply making a respectable appearance at the Asian Cup will no longer be considered sufficient.

Cannavaro is demanding that his team not be intimidated by the opposition’s reputation, play at a high tempo and compete for the trophy.

What did he say about his salary and coaching staff?

At the press conference, Cannavaro also responded to reports about his annual income.

“My salary is not €6 million. I paid many of the coaches who came with me out of my own pocket. Forwards coach Rolando Bianchi worked for the Uzbekistan national team free of charge.”

The coach did not disclose the actual amount specified in his contract. As a result, the exact figure of his salary remains unknown.

However, Cannavaro’s statement that he paid some of his assistants from his personal funds deserves particular attention. According to him, Rolando Bianchi, who worked with the forwards, served on the national-team staff without receiving a salary.

This information also raises new questions about how the coaching staff was funded and under what terms the specialists worked.

Competition is set to begin anew within the national team

Cannavaro’s statements at the press conference point to one common direction: previous status within the national team will be reassessed.

From now on:

experience will not replace regular playing time;

young players will also be trusted in important matches;

the squad will be adapted to the 4-3-3 tactical model;

at the Asian Cup, a strong result—not merely participation—will be demanded.

The mistakes made at the World Cup showed Cannavaro the team’s strengths and weaknesses. He is now beginning to build a new team based on competition rather than preserving the old squad.

The biggest question in this process will not be who gets called up, but which of the previous leaders can keep their place. Share your opinion in the comments and share the article with sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!