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24-12-2002
Fabio Interview
MILAN - Here's the text of an exclusive interview given by Inter and Italian international defender Fabio Cannavaro to Inter.it
Fabio, how would you judge your 2002?
2002 has been a very important year for me. Apart from the World Cup, which finished well below our possibilities, I won a Coppa Italia with Parma and then, above all, the call from Inter came. I've come to a great team with great ambitions and with a strong club behind it, of which I share the aspirations and projects.
Will you also remember 2002 as the year in which you wore the national team captain's armband?
It's a very important achievement. When you get to the point of wearing the captain's armband of your national team and you go onto the pitch to represent your country, you feel a huge responsibility. It's very stimulating, but you feel you have to be a reference point for everyone. And then, let's not hide it, you feel the weight of the years that have passed by, because when you become captain it means you have been playing for many years.
Is it easier to come to a team like Inter at the age of 29 than 20?
It's easier because you already have a lot of experiences behind you and above all you have your own personality, which allows you to settle in without any problems. Sure, I already knew a lot of the Inter players. Between national team players and former team-mates there were few people I had to introduce myself to, but I really am happy about the fact that I've found an environment in which I've felt at ease.
What about your relationship with Cuper?
Very good. A few rumours at the beginning wanted us to be against each other, but we enjoy great mutual respect and he has the great credit of making us all feel equal.
If you could choose between the winning the Serie A or the Champions League, which one would it be?
Definitely the Scudetto. You don't throw anything away, but it must be an incredible emotion to have the Scudetto on your chest.
Do you think it's easier to win a Scudetto or a Champions League?
I think the Champions is slightly easier. In the championship you can have a loss of concentration within the span of the 34 matches and you risk paying dear when the fight goes down to a single point. In the Champions you're always very focused going onto the pitch and you have fewer matches to play.
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23-12-2002
Fabio has been rated as the best eleven of the week by Soccerage
Morgan De Sanctis (Udinese) The young keeper made an impressive number of great saves against Modena
Maria (Perugia) ?He dominated Juventus on the right wing
Fabio Cannavaro (Inter) Reliable as usual in the first outing in front of his old fans.
Nicola Legrottaglie (Chievo) He was once again decisive on both sides of the pitch.
Paolo Maldini (Milan) One word: great.
Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus) Coming from the bench, the Argentinean winger gave Juve the win against Perugia.
Chris Obodo (Perugia) Another impressive performance for the young Ghanian midfielder.
Eugenio Corini (Chievo) The usual contribution of strength and imagination.
Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) Finally, the Italy international played as he's always expected to.
Adrian Mutu (Parma) He was a constant danger for Inter's defence.
Sergio Pellissier (Chievo) Third goal of the season, and always coming from the bench.
Andrea Rosselli
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22-12-2002
Serie A Report: Parma-Inter 1-2
At the end of a very balanced and hard-fought contest, Inter defeated Parma in the last Sunday night match of the year and joined their city rivals Milan at the top of the Serie A table.
The visitors took the lead in the first half with a header by Di Biagio, Parma equalized ten minutes into the second half thanks to an own-goal by Javier Zanetti but a penalty kick converted by Recoba in the 75th minute allowed Cuper's men to grab three fundamental points.
Inter started very well and created a great scoring chance after only 40 seconds, when Emre shot at goal at the end of a very good insertion inside Parma's box, but Frey prevented the Nerazzurri from taking an early lead with a great save.
The hosts reacted promptly, but Cuper's men defended very well, closing all the spaces inside their half. Emre and Almeyda built a dam in the middle, and Parma's powerful offensive duo Adriano-Mutu struggled against Cordoba and Cannavaro.
The best moment for Prandelli's men came in the middle of the first half. In the 23rd minute Toldo made a difficult save on a free kick by Adriano; on the following corner kick, Mutu fired a volley shot from the edge of the box but the Inter keeper was once again ready.
Inter took the lead in the 36th minute. Following a free kick by Recoba, Fabio Cannavaro beat his brother Paolo and supplied perfectly Di Biagio, who was left all alone right in front of Parma's net: the Inter playmaker netted the 1-0 with a powerful header.
Parma's reaction was quite confused, and the only real danger for Toldo came on another free kick, this time by Mutu. But the Italy international couldn't do anything on an identical situation in the 10th minute of the second half, as his skipper Javier Zanetti deflected the ball inside his own net.
Parma's equalizer made the match really more vibrant. However, neither the hosts nor Inter managed to create a clear scoring opportunity until the half-hour mark, when Benarrivo took down Emre inside the box.
Referee Collina had no choice but to award a penalty kick to the Nerazzurri. Recoba didn't miss the chance, and Inter were once again in front on the scorecard.
The hosts didn't manage to react, mainly thanks to Inter's huge determination and perfect defensive organization. Parma wasted their lone big chance during injury time, when Marchionni skimmed the post at the right of
Toldo.
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22-12-2002
What Fabio said after the victory over Parma
PARMA - "It was a difficult match, above all because we didn't have reference points up front. We only had young Martins , although he played an excellent match," said Nerazzurri defender Fabio Cannavaro following Inter's 2-1 victory over his old side Parma .
"We're happy that we've broken the negative tradition of the Tardini. We want to fight right to the end to obtain something important."
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20-12-2002
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Press conference after eliminated from Coppa Italia
and before fighting against Parma
What is your sensation after last night's lost?
It's not a great feeling when you are eliminated from a competition. We are disappointed, but we are conscious that we gave it our max. It was a tough match,
we've lost but we could have won. Beyond the many absences, there was also Kallon's accident. After the tying goal, things got difficult.
The pitch?
"The ball bounces badly, you can notice it also from the stands."
AC Milan's second line-up defeated Ancona, but Inter wasn't able to do the same against Bari?
Lets not look at AC Milan or their second line-up. At Inter there is no such thing of a second line-up. Our roster is made up 28 valuable players. Yesterday’s match just went badly.
Now there is an emergency in the attacking line?
Yes, and Sunday we are going to face a squad that plays excellent football. Apart from the strikers, I ensure you the eleven players that will step on the pitch will give everything for the win? .
Will it be a different match for you?
I've spent 7 excellent years at Parma and I got along very well with my teammates and with the club. I never had a problem, but then we have taken different directions. It was a difficult decision, but I feel great here at Milan and they are doing well.
You will encounter you brother?
Yes. He returned to Parma , but he's not playing much, however these are coache's decisions.
Mutu, Adriano, Nakata: Who is a bigger threat?
Nakata. He is an excellent player and an excellent professional. The other two are always in the middle of the action, while at times Nakata seems out of play and then he can hurt you.
What do you ask for 2003?
To improve my fitness and to stay healthy, because since my arrival here at Inter I always had some muscle disturbance. Then I ask for what everybody is asking: The cudetto, it's our first objective.
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15-12-2002
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Cuper: "Thanks to excellent displays by Gamarra, Cannavaro..."
Hector Cuper press conference:
Atalanta created quite a few problems for you...
We had a few problems in the area from high balls. It's natural when you're playing against footballers like Rossini, Doni and Comandini, but thanks to excellent displays by Gamarra , Cannavaro and the defensive department in general, we managed to restrict them.
How important is Kallon 's recovery?
Very important. Today he scored a fantastic goal which gave the team three points and a lot of self-confidence for himself.
To replace someone like Vieri isn't easy...
Everyone knows what I think about Vieri ... I don't think there's anything else to add. But I want to say that who played in his place contested a good match.
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13-12-2002
Press Conference before the match against Atalanta
Inter are growing, but you have a limited number of players due to injuries. What dangers will there be against Atalanta ?
Each match hides a lot of dangers. Atalanta 's position in the table is not good. But then, at the San Siro, the teams always play tight. We will have to be patient and try to exploit the right chance at the right time, which could be at the end. We will have to keep our will to win for the whole ninety minutes.
What kind of player is Gamarra ?
He's a very experienced player, he has a great personality and he's very humble. He has a significant past, but he has come here to work and he has taken advantage of his chance. This shows his great professionalism.
Which not everybody has...
It's a sign. Everyone feels important in this Inter side. The credit goes to the players, the coach and the club. Inter have shown they have a great squad.
Are Atalanta weaker than last year?
I don't know whether they're weaker. It's a crisis period, they're less brilliant than last year. I went through a similar situation at Parma last season. I know everything becomes harder, but you also want to get through the situation and there's also more anger.
The pitch could also be a danger for Sunday's match...
I read an article that invited the players to shut up. It seems absurd to me. If I play on a good pitch, I can give one hundred. If I find a pitch with holes, I can give fifty. These are not complaints from spoiled people, like is always said. It's evident - you can't stay on your feet at the San Siro.
Is it dangerous?
Yes, you can slip. There's the risk of getting injured. They should do something about it. There are absurd bounces, at times the ball seems like a rabbit...
But is it only like this at the San Siro?
The majority of the other pitches seem to be good. The San Siro has this problem. It was re-turfed a month and a half ago, but it was re-turfed badly.
If more players get injured, touch wood, do you think you could try to do something about the pitch?
I don't know. The conditions of the pitch are important for our health and for the spectacle. In that case, these are decisions for the club.
Cuper said that it could also be an advantage for you...
It's difficult for everyone to play on a pitch like this.
Doni's not playing very well at the moment...
He's come from two consecutive championships in which he performed incredibly well. He's having a few problems but he's still a high quality player and for this reason we'll have to respect him and keep an eye on him.
After the Champions League, there are more risks. Why?
It's a physical and psychological matter. To prepare for a match every three days isn't easy. Sometimes you succeed, while other times it's more difficult.
Have we already seen the real Cannavaro at Inter?
I think I can give more. I'm progressing quite well, but I've had more injuries than usual this year.
At 3-1 up against Bayer, Inter sat on their lead. Why?
We certainly have to manage the matches better. The advantage obtained allows you to get to the ninetieth minute without suffering. In the team we have this will to go forward.
What will change in attack without Vieri ?
With Bobo you have an important reference point. He's a player capable of letting you breathe. Hernan helps the team more. The work of the support striker will be needed.
And from the point of view of his character?
For us, Bobo is a charismatic figure. He has a great will to win, but fortunately there are a lot of players like this at Inter.
Crespo scores when Vieri doesn't play. Is it just a coincidence?
Yes, because in the cup they were both on the pitch and Crespo scored nine goals. But I'm amazed - it's spectacular to see them play together. They look out for each other and they have fun. At the beginning there was scepticism, instead they have got on very well.
Has Recoba been sacrificed a little bit?
El Chino has the qualities to play everywhere. He hasn't played much in the last few matches, but when he has played he has made his mark. The same goes for Gamarra - you can see the team's strength from all the players in the squad.
Which player at Inter has impressed you most?
I think it's Pasquale , because I already knew the others. But not just him. All the young players at Inter have talent. Now it's our turn to give the right example so they grow well.
Will this Sunday be favourable to Milan and Inter?
The problem is not to break clear of our opponents now, the problem is to break clear of them at the end. We were first, now we are growing. Inter must try to find a constant rhythm in order to be ahead of the others at the end.
Did the banner shown by the Lazio fans irritate you?
I didn't see it, but the fans should be respected and I respect them. I don't have anything against the Lazio fans. The gesture was meant for Couto.
Do you regret that gesture?
Yes, these are things that should be avoided. But we're normal people and it can happen.
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10-12-2002
Couto was banned for two matches
Lazio defender Fernando Couto was banned for two matches by the Italian FA as a result of the kick he hurled at Cannavaro's head during the course of last Saturday's Lazio-Inter clash.
Television evidence was used to carry out this sentence as the referee of the match Rosetti hadn't noticed the ugly gesture by the erratic Portuguese international.
Cannavaro, who had responded to Couto's assault with a gesture known in Italy as 'the umbrellla move' avoided punishment, as did Filippo Inzaghi, who intentionally elbowed Jonathan Zebina during Milan-Roma.
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8-12-2002
About the gesture to Couto
MILANO - In a telephone interview with a football-related programme on Italian State television channel Rai 2, Azzurri captain Fabio Cannavaro commented on Saturday's night episode with Fernando Couto.
"From my part it wasn't a nice gesture and it wasn't to the fans, but to my ex-teammate Couto. First he kicked my head when I fell to the ground and then he tried to put two of his fingers up my nose. At first I thought he was playing around with me, but then I realised he was provoking me and I got angry. I didn't expect this from him considering we were teammates at Parma . The only justification I could think of is that the intensity level on the pitch was high. However this does not mean that certain incidents should occur on a pitch."
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8-12-2002
What Fabio said after the match Lazio-Inter 3-3
ROME - Here's what Azzurri captain Fabio Cannavaro said to Inter Channel following Inter's 3-3 draw with Lazio at the Olimpico:
"After their three goals we gave a great reaction and in the finale Inter were overflowing. We showed that on a physical level, this team is superior to many others. We're disappointed about the three goals let in, but the important thing is to show every time that we're capable of fighting until the end. We need to give our fans more satisfaction, but there's time for that."
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1-12-2002
Cannavaro: "Baggio is an example for everyone who loves football."
APPIANO GENTILE - Fabio Cannavaro spoke to Inter Channel about two protagonists in the Brescia set-up.
On coach Carlo Mazzone, Cannavaro commented, "He's a great coach with an immense experience. He will want to play a little joke, but we've already conceded too many points in the championship."
Cannavaro will certainly have to keep an eye on a certain Roberto Baggio, who over the years has made a habit of scoring against Inter.
"He's an example for everyone that loves football," said the Neapolitan defender. "Let's hope he stays calm for one Sunday..."
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