Cannavaro set for Azzurri history

When Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro equalled Paolo Maldini's record of 126 caps for the Azzurri in June he was left with a bitter taste in his mouth as Marcello Lippi's team were beaten 3-0 by Brazil and tumbled out of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Almost two months on, however, and his Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon has promised maximum effort from everyone in Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland to allow the centre-back to commemorate his new landmark in style, saying victory "will be our way to celebrate Cannavaro".

World Cup aim
The 35-year-old, who rejoined Juventus in the summer after three years with Real Madrid CF, chose not to celebrate his record in June because not only he was the captain of a team that had just been eliminated from a major tournament, his overriding ambition is to win trophies rather than create milestones. "Someone even asked me if I would like to become a coach one day, but all I can say is that I want to keep on playing and winning for as long as I can," he said at the time. "I want just one thing at the moment: to go South Africa [for the FIFA World Cup] as a player and as the captain of this team."

Distinguished career
Cannavaro began his career at his hometown club, SSC Napoli, but it was only when he moved to Parma FC that he began to lift silverware, winning a UEFA Cup, the Coppa Italia twice and an Italian Supercup between 1995 and 2002. Then, after two seasons apiece with FC Internazionale Milano and Juventus, he signed for Madrid in 2006, the same summer that Italian supporters were left with the indelible image of him hoisting the FIFA World Cup aloft in Germany. The Golden Ball and FIFA World Player of the Year awards then followed, as did more trophies – two Spanish titles and a Spanish Supercup – in his three seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Key component
Although injury prevented him from playing at UEFA EURO 2008™, he remained with the squad until the quarter-final loss to Spain. Now Cannavaro is back at Juventus and, despite the scepticism of some Bianconeri fans, his appetite for silverware remains undiminished. He is still the Azzurri captain and a vital part of what Lippi hopes will be the squad which successfully defends Italy's global title next summer. "I never said that Italy have a one in a billion chance of winning the World Cup, I am convinced that Italy have a much better opportunity," said Lippi. "I said that we have a minimal chance if we abandon players of experience."

Debutants
Lippi confirmed that Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio and Genoa CFC defender Domenico Criscito will make their Italy debuts on Wednesday and Buffon is delighted to welcome them into the set-up. "We have a good relationship with them; they both come from great teams and know how to behave," he said. "We didn't play well at the Confederations Cup and that left doubts in our minds. We have to win because we need to regain some confidence. Moreover, this will be the best way to celebrate Cannavaro's new record."