According to "Gazzetta dello Sport", Castracci discussed assisting Cannavaro with coaching Uzbekistan.
Enrico Castracci, the team doctor who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with the Italian national team, discussed in an interview his experience working with Cannavaro in the Uzbekistan team.
"Professor, would you like to come to Uzbekistan with me?" It was Cannavaro’s voice on the other end of the line. "My captain," Castracci said with a smile, "how could I refuse?" And so he joined the Italian team leading Uzbekistan to the FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan is set to make its FIFA World Cup debut, with Cannavaro as head coach. Castracci said: "This is my fourth FIFA World Cup, and I think it will be my last."
When asked whether he had anticipated the call, Castracci said: "Can I tell the truth? A little bit. We worked together with the national team, and then we went to China together because Marcello Lippi appointed Cannavaro to take over as coach of Guangzhou. We know each other very well."
Speaking about the difficult debut against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca, Castracci said: "That was a real shame. There were 80,000 yellow jerseys in the stadium and only about 1,000 Uzbekistan fans. We shouldn't have lost 3-1; a draw would have been fair. It was the first game, with a bit of nervousness, some bad luck, and one mistake."
Speaking about Cannavaro, Castracci said: "I'm at an age where I don't need to flatter anyone. I've seen Fabio develop rapidly as a coach, and I don't understand why he isn't receiving the recognition he deserves in Italy, while abroad, he is being invited to take on important roles."
When asked who Cannavaro resembled, Castracci said: "I inevitably see Marcello Lippi in him. He has the same composure, the kind of smile that can open up any situation wherever he goes, and he works tirelessly. Even at 2 AM, he is still studying tactics, videos, and opponents. Above all, he has Lippi's philosophy in his mind: the team, the squad."
Speaking about working with the Uzbekistan players, Castracci said: "The players are all excellent; they call me 'Professor'. The team leader is Shomurodov, who speaks Italian very well." He also mentioned: "The team has good technical ability, and there are two other notable names: one is Shomurodov, who played for Roma; the other is Man City defender Khusanov."
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