World Cup 2026: Cannavaro Warns Uzbekistan — Portugal Are More Than Just Ronaldo
After a below-par showing from Cristiano Ronaldo vs DR Congo, Cannavaro still cautioned Uzbekistan. The coach said Portugal’s threat goes beyond one player as his side chase their first World Cup points.
Don’t focus only on Ronaldo, Cannavaro tells Uzbekistan ahead of Portugal clash. Uzbekistan learn from Colombia loss before Portugal test...
The Uzbekistan boss said his team need to show more fight vs Portugal on matchday two than they did in the 3-1 loss to Colombia in their opener.
This is Uzbekistan’s first ever World Cup. Cannavaro, who lifted the trophy with Italy in 2006, expects his side to take lessons from the defeat to the South Americans.
“As I have always said, we have nothing to lose,” he told reporters ahead of Tuesday's Group K game. “Portugal always like to control the game. They will start in a very good way, they want to play fast. We will be prepared for that.
“We have our strategy. I know we are going to face a very good team. We will try to do our best, stay in the game until the end.
“I asked my team to play with more fighting spirit than against Colombia, but we cannot just run around stupidly everywhere.”
Cannavaro also told his players not to get fixated on Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal legend was well below his best in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo, but Cannavaro knows Portugal have threats beyond him.
“As a player you think on more of an individual level, but as a coach you cannot do that. You need to talk to the players, think about the strategy and so on,” he added.
“I don’t try to show them videos of how it was to hold the World Cup because it was 20 years ago. But I try to show them how it is to play as a team.
“You have (Lionel) Messi and Maradona who can win games by themselves, but for us it is always about playing as a team.
“When you are at a World Cup it stays with you forever. And I am lucky because I have very happy memories.”
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