Cannavaro: Uzbekistan can make its mark at the World Cup if it cuts out mistakes

The Italian tactician opened up about the psychological transition from being a world-class player to managing on the game's biggest stage, noting that the two experiences carry completely different emotional weights. A player can naturally absorb the joy of the tournament on the pitch, but a coach faces constant pressure, trying to manage an endless array of variables from the technical area where their ability to directly influence play is restricted.

Reviewing the previous 3–1 defeat to Colombia, Cannavaro maintained that while his players put on a strong performance, elite-level football offers absolutely no margin for error. He pointed out that the lapses leading to Colombia's first goal occurred in scenarios the squad had drilled repeatedly during training sessions, while the second arose from a poorly managed throw-in. The head coach warned that a single moment of broken concentration or leaving an opponent unmarked is all it takes to be punished at this level, making error minimization his top priority.

Despite those defensive shortcomings, Cannavaro expressed great satisfaction with his team's second-half response, stating it served as a true showcase of Uzbekistan's potential. He highlighted his ongoing instructions to the players: to look for the ball without fear, trust their collective strengths, and play with genuine freedom. The team executed this approach after the interval, scoring their historic first goal and creating several genuine opportunities to alter the scoreline.

Turning his attention to Portugal, the manager acknowledged the immense depth of world-class talent within the European side's ranks. He singled out Cristiano Ronaldo, describing him as one of the greatest footballing figures of the last twenty years. However, the World Cup winner emphasized that reputations hold no value once the game kicks off. He stressed that while Ronaldo remains an iconic star, all names and statures must be entirely forgotten the moment the referee blows the starting whistle, requiring his players to focus strictly on their tactical assignments and collective goals.

To counter the Portuguese threat, Cannavaro stated that Uzbekistan will need to demonstrate elite defensive organization and structural discipline to neutralize the opponent's attacking options while simultaneously exposing their vulnerabilities. Ultimately, the manager wants the tournament debutants to leave a definitive mark on the global stage, concluding that he wants the football world to remember Uzbekistan as a well-organized, highly disciplined team that plays attractive football and fears absolutely no one.