Cannavaro identifies biggest flaw in Italian football: ‘Mamma mia’

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Fabio Cannavaro, Head Coach of GNK Dinamo reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Arsenal FC and GNK Dinamo at on January 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Fabio Cannavaro agrees with the growing portion of Serie A supporters who feel that there are not enough opportunities for young, homegrown players in Italy, and has explained what he would do to change the situation. 

The 2006 World Cup winning captain gave an in-depth interview to Tuttosport on Tuesday, in which he discussed his prospects with Uzbekistan at the World Cup, his recent candidacy for the Italy national team job, and the current state of affairs in Serie A. 

Cannavaro: ‘Not enough Italians, even fewer young players’

Cannavaro believes that the fundamental flaw of the Italy national team is the lack of playing time for homegrown players, and especially young Italian players in the top flight. 

He also feels that Italian football is centred too much around its tactics and not around the technical ability of the players. 

When asked by Tuttosport if he still has an opportunity to watch Serie A football in his job as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro said: “No, no, I watch it even more, it helps you understand lots of different things.

And so, what has he learned from watching Serie A football recently? 

“There’s a difficult tactic they use in Italy, they play man-for-man all over the pitch. They all seem to be sons of Gasperini now, a coach I also appreciate a lot and learn a lot from.” 

And the flaws of the Italian game? 

“Not many Italians are used, and even fewer young players. All this is reflected in the national team and the coaches who have to make the call-ups. 

“For 20 years before we won the World Cup in 2006, we had players being called up who would make you say ‘wow’. 20 years later, we’ve got a team that makes you say: ‘Oh mamma mia’.” 

Cannavaro was then asked if he thinks that Italy needs a full-scale football ‘revolution’, to which he replied: “Yes, because we’re focussing too much on tactics.

“Young players coming into football are like houses being built, the foundations should be built on technique, not tactics. Until I turned 20, coaches used to just tell me to follow my opponent, even when he went to the bathroom. This Gasperini method helps young players become better.”