Cannavaro picks his favourite defender in Italy squad | OneFootball

Italy World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro picks Alessandro Buongiorno as his favourite defender in the Azzurri squad this month.

Italy are preparing for a World Cup qualifying fixture against Moldova, which will be played on Thursday.

Italy legend Cannavaro praises Buongiorno

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt battles for possession with Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 04, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

During an event held on the eve of the game on Wednesday, Cannavaro said (via Ansa): “The defender I like the most in the current national team is Buongiorno. He’s a guy with quality and is always very focused, which is fundamental for a defender.”

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has called up Buongiorno for the first time as the Napoli centre-back was injured in September and October.

Cannavaro: Gattuso needs no advice

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso during a press conference at Coverciano on November 10, 2025.

The Azzurri will also face Norway at San Siro on Sunday, but are unlikely to win Group I unless Erling Haaland’s side drops points against Estonia tomorrow.

“I don’t feel like Rino needs any advice from me,” continued Cannavaro.

“He has proved to have the right experience, having worked for many teams, and he surely has adequate experience to take us to the World Cup.”