Cannavaro: ‘Spalletti and Allegri are similar, Kolo Muani and Hojlund less killer than strikers of my era’
UDINE, ITALY - MAY 06: Fabio Cannavaro, Head Coach of Udinese Calcio, looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Fabio Cannavaro believes Luciano Spalletti and Massimiliano Allegri have plenty in common, and that Rasmus Højlund and Randal Kolo Muani are not the ruthless strikers of his generation.
With quotes via Calciomercato.com, the former defender, who played for both clubs, previewed Sunday’s clash between Juventus and Napoli in an interview with Betsson.Sport. It kicks off at 20:45 CET [19:45 GMT] at the Allianz Stadium.
“Spalletti and Allegri are two great coaches who have achieved great results in recent years,” Cannavaro said. “They know Italian football very well and everything that surrounds it: how to manage players, journalists and fans. Tactically, they’re not tied to one system and they know how to adapt to their players.”
Allegri will not be on the touchline. He is serving the second game of a two-match ban, so assistant Marco Landucci takes charge again.
The sides go into the game level on 14 points, but in very different moods. Napoli won 4-1 at Monza on Wednesday, while Juventus were beaten 2-0 at Genoa. Spalletti apologised to the fans after that defeat.
“Napoli have certainly paid for a few too many injuries at the start of the season, while Juve, who have changed more than last year, can’t find consistency,” Cannavaro said. “Both Gasperini and Chivu have worked with their groups, so this year we’re seeing the results.”
Cannavaro on Bremer, Buongiorno and the strikers
Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or in 2006 as a Juventus player, and he was full of praise for both sides’ centre-backs.
“I really like Buongiorno because he’s a real defender. He senses danger, he knows when to step up and when to be hard,” he said. “The same goes for Bremer, they’re two extraordinary players. Both always have a lot of injuries, but they’re fundamental for Juve and Napoli.”
Alessandro Buongiorno is out until the new year after knee surgery, while Gleison Bremer is a doubt for Sunday.
Cannavaro was less convinced by the strikers. “Højlund and Kolo Muani are great workers. Football today is much faster, more intense and more athletic,” he said. “Strikers from my generation were a bit more ‘killer’ in front of goal. Nowadays strikers play more for the team and work a lot off the ball.”
The Neapolitan, who grew up in Fuorigrotta in the shadow of the San Paolo, also looked back on his Napoli debut. “I think it was the most emotional day of my life,” he said. “Getting to play in Serie A for the team of your heart isn’t something everyone gets to do.”
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