Uzbekistan national team head coach Fabio Cannavaro addressed the media ahead of the upcoming international friendly against South Korea, detailing the tactical and squad overhaul implemented following the World Cup. The Italian tactician emphasized the importance of securing a strong result on away soil while sharing insights into the evolving competitive dynamic and the integration of emerging young talents into the senior setup.

Cannavaro acknowledged that three consecutive defeats at the World Cup served as a turning point, prompting the coaching staff to abandon the three-defender formation in favor of a more dynamic and aggressive tactical philosophy. According to the coach, the squad quickly adapted to the new demands, as reflected in their recent victories against Iran and Syria. Cannavaro noted that participating in a tournament of such magnitude provided invaluable experience, and maintaining that elite standard remains the primary objective moving forward.

A central pillar of Cannavaro’s vision is the continuous development of younger players. He underlined that talents between the ages of 17 and 21 must feature regularly for top Uzbekistan Super League clubs to showcase their readiness for international football. Emphasizing the natural combativeness and fighting spirit of Uzbek players, Cannavaro stated that his system seeks to combine that innate aggression with high pressing and physical conditioning capable of sustaining high intensity across the full 90 minutes.

The head coach also warned against complacency, asserting that relying solely on a fixed group of 13 to 14 players destroys squad competitiveness. By actively introducing fresh talent, the coaching staff aims to foster healthy internal rivalry essential for long-term growth. The friendly match between South Korea and Uzbekistan is scheduled for October 6, kicking off at 16:00 Tashkent time.

Source: www.gazeta.uz