Cannavaro to Realmadrid.com

"We have learned to be strong; united we will win the League"

2006 was Fabio Cannavaro's best year: he won the World Cup with Italy as their captain and he was awarded the FIFA World Player and Ballon d'Or accolades. His great season in 2006 made him sign for the best Club in the world. Cannavaro has it all: character and a winning spirit he passes on to the rest of the players. Grada Blanca magazine talked to the centre back days prior to the presentation of his awards to the fans at the Bernabéu on Saturday.

The good vibes on the squad are obvious every day during training. Do they remain during a match?

We are in good spirits because we are having good results. This happens to every team. We must continue along the same path because it is important for us to have a good atmosphere; it makes us work better.

Are you in good spirits because of the good results, or vice-versa?

Both. When there's a little more excitement, it's normal for someone to think that the League can be won if every game is won. I think we can achieve that because we only play one match every week and that allows us to work well every day. We can't afford to make any mistakes at this stage. We must win every game in order to take the title. We can't allow ourselves to think about Sevilla's and Barcelona's results.

Why are things easier now? What's changed?

We now know we have a very good team and we have learned to be strong. We know that we will only be able to win a title through hard work. There were a lot of new people at the Club when the season started. We had a new President, a new coach, many new players... Everyone was new. I think a team can only work once everyone has adapted to it.

You have all adapted at the right time...

Yes, we have. We feel well and we are giving good performances. The fans are happy because they see the team fighting hard. This happens in every league in Europe; when things work out everyone shuts up and a team can work better.

Have you noticed any change in Fabio Capello?

No, he hasn't changed one bit. He's always been the same coach, but people now talk less about trivial stuff and focus more on the football we do.

Has David Beckham's return to the team been one of the reasons for this change?

Beckham is a player I like very much both for his technique and the way he thinks. He always wants to win and he has transmitted that mentality to the squad. I think we are all much better now, not only David. We are all making a greater effort to win the League. We have five games left and we must win them all.

You also feel better on a personal level. What's changed in you?

I am calmer. I had always played wellbefore coming here and that's why Real Madrid signed me. The problem I recently had was that last year I played many games, including those in the World Cup, and that had its toll on me. I'm in good shape again and I am training well. I'm happy and calm.

Who do you feel more comfortable playing with in midfield?

I don't care because when a team is in good form it doesn't really matter who plays. It's essential for the team to have a solid midfield. On Sunday, Sevilla only had two shots on goal. All of us fall back to defend when we lose possession. We all feel better when this happens.

Who do you feel more comfortable with in defence?

That's up to the coach because what's important is what I have just said. When a team is in good form, lining up someone from Castilla won't make a difference. I like every defender on the team. I like Pavón, Mejía, Iván Helguera, who has had an excellent season... We all need to help each other win the League. On Sunday I started out being paired with Sergio Ramos, but in the second part he was placed on the right wing and Helguera took the centre with me. We all have to be in good shape because we are all important.

You will finally be able to present your awards to the fans on Saturday at the Bernabéu.

I want to do it now, but I originally intended to do it before the game against Recreativo Huelva, but I decided not to after the tragic bus accident in which many Recreativo fans died. A long time has gone by since I won the awards, but I feel I still have to share them with the fans. It will only take a couple of minutes and later we will have to think about winning the game, which is more important. I will be happy to show the fans my awards, but I am more concerned about winning the match against Espanyol.

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol

Keepers: Casillas, Diego Lopez.

Defenders: Ramos, Cicinho, Cannavaro, Helguera, Marcelo, Michel Salgado, Mejia, Pavon, Roberto Carlos, Torres

Midfielders: Guti, Emerson, Diarra, Raul, Reyes.

Strikers: Higuain, Van Nistelrooy.

We Have Truly Settled In Now - Cannavaro

Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro insists that the recent upturn in the team's form is simply due to the new coach and a string of new players all finally completing their respective processes of adaptation.

"We now know we have a very good team, and we have learned to be strong together," Cannavaro told the club's official website. "We know that we will only be able to win a title through hard work.

"There were a lot of new people at the Club when the season started. We had a new president, a new coach, many new players.

"Everyone was new. I think a team can only work once everyone has adapted to it."

Asked if he thought they had all adapted now, he said: "Yes, we have. We feel well and we are giving good performances. The fans are happy because they see the team fighting hard.

"This happens in every league in Europe; when things work out everyone shuts up and a team can work better."

The Ballon d'Or winner was then put under the spot, asked if he had seen Capello change his style as well in order to adapt.

"No, he hasn't changed one bit," replied the Azzurri skipper confidently. "He's always been the same coach, but people now talk less about trivial stuff and focus more on the football we do."

As for his own adaptation, he said: "I am calmer now. I had always played well before coming here and that's why Real Madrid signed me. The problem I recently had was that last year I played many games, including those in the World Cup, and that had its toll on me. I'm in good shape again and I am training well. I'm happy and calm."

Coming to the title race and Madrid's strong finish, he said: "We are in good spirits because we are having good results. This happens to every team. We must continue along the same path because it is important for us to have a good atmosphere; it makes us work better.

"When there's a little more excitement, it's normal for someone to think that the League can be won if every game is won. I think we can achieve that because we only play one match every week and that allows us to work well every day.

"We can't afford to make any mistakes at this stage. We must win every game in order to take the title. We can't allow ourselves to think about Sevilla's and Barcelona's results."

Finally, he gave his views on David Beckham: "Beckham is a player I like very much both for his technique and the way he thinks. He always wants to win and he has transmitted that mentality to the squad. I think we are all much better now, not only David. We are all making a greater effort to win the League."

Thanks

4. Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Cicinho (Helguera, min.46), Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Diarra; Higuain, Guti (Reyes, min.46); Raul (Miguel Torres, min. 90) and Van Nistelrooy.

3. RCD Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco (Jarque, min. 75), Lacruz, Marc Torrejón, Chica; Angel, Costa; Rufete (Coro, min. 67), Jonatas, Moha; and Pandiani (Luis Garcia, min. 60).

Goals:

0-1. Min. 15. Pandiani finishes off a counterattack led by Rufete and Jonatas.

0-2. Min. 26. Pandiani, again, asisted by Rufete.

1-2. Min. 29. The Pichichi Van Nistelrooy strikes from inside the box.

1-3. Min. 34. Pandiani caps off his hat-trick.

2-3. Min. 48. Raul nutmegs Kameni.

3-3. Min. 57. Reyes nets the equaliser.

4-3. Min. 89. Higuain adds the finishing touch with his first goal at the Santiago Bernabue.

Referee: Undiano Mallenco. Booked Moha (52'), Chica (54'), Kameni (77'), Jonatas (81'), and Sergio Ramos (61').

Notes: Matchday 34 of the Spanish Primera Liga. Attendence: 78,000. Before the match, Real Madrid President of Honour Alfredo Di Stefano presented Cannavaro with last year's Balon d'Or and the FIFA World Player trophy.

Fabio Cannavaro's Golden Ball and FIFA World Player trophies before Spain's La Liga match between Real Madrid and Espanol at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

thanks!

You're welcome Iloveale