Former Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro feels that the quality of defending in modern football has worsened.
The Italy legend appeared 136 times for the national team, notably captaining the side to a historic World Cup victory in 2006 and also played for the likes Inter and Real Madrid.
“Defenders? At one time it was enough to be focused and just to defend well,” he said to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“Whereas today, coaches teach the players to watch the ball and not to touch the opponent. How is it possible that there are attackers who can score 60 goals? Surely it is fault of the defence.”
The 41-year-old was also pessimistic about the current state of the Italian game, as well as discussing young Serie A defenders Alessio Romagnoli and Daniele Rugani.
“We are not in a good state even with the final of the Champions League [which Juventus lost 3-1 to Barcelona],” said Cannavaro.
“No one has the courage to change or to invest in young people and structures.
“We were more prepared at their age and more accustomed with difficult challenges. However it is not their fault if the market gives them a specific valuation or certain expectations.”
