Fabio Cannavaro is about to begin his third season as a Real Madrid player. HIs great experience is one the team's strongest assets. The Italian centre back hopes to recover soon from his ankle injury.
Interview
27/07/2008
Cannavaro to Realmadrid.comDay 8
"We know that doing our best is the only way to achieve something big"
Arancha Díaz (Irdning) / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
Fabio Cannavaro is about to begin his third season as a Real Madrid player. HIs great experience is one the team's strongest assets. The Italian centre back hopes to recover soon from his ankle injury.
How’s your ankle coming along?
It is much better. I’ve already started to run and I am working with excitement. I feel much better and expect to rejoin the squad in a couple of weeks.
This has been a different summer...
It has because I haven’t had any holidays. I’ve had to work throughout the summer. I trained with a physiotherapist every morning and spent some time with my family every afternoon. I went to the sea every now and again. This summer has indeed been different, but it’s over now. I’m here now and I’m happy.
How excited are you about the coming season?
Very much because I injured myself in the first training session with Italy in Austria and I was very disappointed to miss the Euro. I am very excited about coming back and rejoining the team. I want to win another title.
Work this pre-season has gradually been increasing since the first day in the Algarve. How has the squad benefited from this?
It’s been good for us because it’s allowed us to work slowly and to rest. We’ll be less tired when the season begins. I think the Club planned it phenomenally well. The week in Portugal allowed us all to recover.
It seems there’s great vibes on the team from the outset...
Most of us have been together for two years and that is obvious on the pitch. The team is working hard right now, that’s why they’re silent (laughs), but we’re fine.
Every player believes the strength of this team lies in the unity of the squad.
That’s how it should always be. We’ve been successful because we’ve gone back to being a proper team again.
What goals does the team have for this season?
Our first goal will be to win the Spanish Super Cup against Valencia because we didn’t manage to win the title last year. The rest will come later. Having won two league titles consecutively makes the Champions League an obvious goal for us.
You’ll want to get rid of that thorn on your side this year...
Many of our men were injured we faced Roma last season when. I have faith in this team and I believe we will be able to play equally well in La Liga and in the Champions League.
The squad seems to be very motivated. Can we expect a great year from you lot?
Yes, you can. That’s what we all want. We know our fans and the Club demand that from us, but it isn’t easy. We must be focused and play as a team, We have to gain confidence with each game. It won’t be easy, but we are working very hard.
What Cannavaro will we see this year?
I hope to have a good season; it's important for me and for Real Madrid also.
It is also important for the young players who look up to you.
That’s one of the great responsibilities a football player has. You have to be very professional and be aware that people are always observing you. You always have to do things well.
You will be the boss of the defence once again this year...
Maybe because I’m the eldest, but we only need one boss here: Bernd Schuster. We must do what he says.
You veterans seem to act like father figures for the younger players...
Yes. I think the youngsters should take advantage of our presence and professional behaviour. We try to do things as best as we can for them to learn from us.
Does it bother you to hear so much talk about signings during the pre-season?
I realised the other day that no one ever talks about the team we have right now. That’s not good for us because we have to focus on the group we currently have, which has so far won two league titles.
What would you like to say to the fans?
We will do our best and fight till the end because we know that is the only way to achieve something big.
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