Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro finds himself surrounded by new generation of defenders

Cannavaro confident in Italy’s new generation

IRENE, South Africa — When Fabio Cannavaro looks at his side, he no longer sees longtime Azzurri standouts Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta or Marco Materazzi. He’s getting comfortable with that.

Preparing for his fourth and final World Cup, the 36-year-old Italy captain has adjusted to playing with a new generation of center backs. The new defenders are Giorgio Chiellini and the relatively obscure pair of Leonardo Bonucci and Salvatore Bocchetti — both 23 years old.

“Giorgio and I have played a lot together by now and I think that whoever has made it here has the talent to play at the top level,” Cannavaro said Friday at Italy’s training camp. “Sure, the names are new, but if we create a strong, compact defense and we all work together, we can achieve great things.”

During its run to the 2006 World Cup title, Italy’s defensive wall was, as usual, the team’s strong point, allowing only two goals over seven games. The only balls that entered the net were an own goal by Cristian Zaccardo against the United States and a penalty kick by Zinedine Zidane during the final against France.

However, Italy lost some of its defensive strength during last year’s Confederations Cup, allowing five goals over three matches and failing to advance from the group phase.

“We lost a bit of that aura, but we’re working hard to regain it,” Cannavaro said, flashing his trademark smile and personally greeting nearly half the journalists at a news conference. “I don’t know why, but I’m very confident. … A compact defense has always been the basis of Italy’s team. We’ll never (attack) like Brazil or Spain or Portugal — just as they’ll never be able to defend like us.”

Chiellini established himself as the next in the long line of standout Italian defenders when thrust into a starter’s role after Cannavaro was injured just before the 2008 European Championship.

Bonucci (two) and Bocchetti (four) have made a combined total of six appearances with Italy. Cannavaro, of course, holds the Azzurri record with 133 caps.

With new players come new lineup questions and coach Marcello Lippi has provided no clear indications during recent exhibition matches, switching starters randomly from game to game.

“In 2006, we were coming off two years where we played with nearly the same lineup every game,” Cannavaro said. “I played with Alessandro for many years and whenever Marco came in, that always worked well, too. This year is different, we’ve got new players. It’s only natural that a new generation has come along.”

Much has been made of Lippi’s apparent inability to settle on a lineup, but Cannavaro isn’t concerned just three days before Italy’s opener against Paraguay on Monday.

“I think the coach has a lineup in his head, but it’s only right that he tests every option,” Cannavaro said. “If we use our weapons wisely we play with anyone.”

After the World Cup, Cannavaro is planning to retire from the national team. He recently signed a two-year deal to play in the United Arab Emirates for Dubai-based club Al Ahli after Juventus didn’t exercise an option on his contract.

Cannavaro also moved abroad — to Real Madrid — after the 2006 World Cup, and has often expressed frustration with the violence and dilapidated stadiums that tarnish the Italian game.

“Going to Dubai represents a different way of life,” he said. “An experience abroad really enriches you.”