EXCLUSIVE
Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has told skysports.com that he does not fear English sides nor Ruud van Nistelrooy in the UEFA Champions League.
Although impressed by the Manchester United striker's four-goal haul in the midweek mauling of Sparta Prague, the Italy international is willing to write off The Red Devils and the other Premiership representatives in Europe's top competition.
"I have always considered myself to be an ambitious player," he told skysports.com.
"I really look forward to a major achievement with Juventus.
"In the Champions League, I think there are four favourites - the Italian sides [Juve, Internazionale and Milan] and Barcelona.
"I am less worried by the English sides, although Chelsea have been doing very well in their group.
"I also know Ruud van Nistelrooy scored four against Sparta Prague but I wouldn't be afraid to mark him.
"When you face this kind of player, you get an extra motivation to stop them."
Juve secured a superb 1-0 win against Bayern Munich on Wednesday with the 31-year-old outstanding at the heart of the defence.
"I am very happy with my performance," he explained. "But mostly with us grabbing the three points against such a great side like Bayern.
"From my point of view, it's a very flattering result. It's very easy for me to play with Lilian Thuram and Gianluigi Buffon, as we were the defensive pack of Parma in their golden years.
"Maybe we were physically stronger some years ago but we have gained a lot of experience since then."
The Azzurri skipper believes keeper Buffon should be a contender for the coveted Ballon d'Or award.
"It's incredible he has never won it," added Cannavaro.
"He has been the best goalkeeper in the world for four or five years so I can't see a better candidate than him.
"His miracle save in injury time from Roy Makaay's shot is just further proof of his value.
"He is still very young, but he was already a world-class player when he made his debut at 17."
Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has told skysports.com that he does not fear English sides nor Ruud van Nistelrooy in the UEFA Champions League.
Although impressed by the Manchester United striker's four-goal haul in the midweek mauling of Sparta Prague, the Italy international is willing to write off The Red Devils and the other Premiership representatives in Europe's top competition.
"I have always considered myself to be an ambitious player," he told skysports.com.
"I really look forward to a major achievement with Juventus.
"In the Champions League, I think there are four favourites - the Italian sides [Juve, Internazionale and Milan] and Barcelona.
"I am less worried by the English sides, although Chelsea have been doing very well in their group.
"I also know Ruud van Nistelrooy scored four against Sparta Prague but I wouldn't be afraid to mark him.
"When you face this kind of player, you get an extra motivation to stop them."
Juve secured a superb 1-0 win against Bayern Munich on Wednesday with the 31-year-old outstanding at the heart of the defence.
"I am very happy with my performance," he explained. "But mostly with us grabbing the three points against such a great side like Bayern.
"From my point of view, it's a very flattering result. It's very easy for me to play with Lilian Thuram and Gianluigi Buffon, as we were the defensive pack of Parma in their golden years.
"Maybe we were physically stronger some years ago but we have gained a lot of experience since then."
The Azzurri skipper believes keeper Buffon should be a contender for the coveted Ballon d'Or award.
"It's incredible he has never won it," added Cannavaro.
"He has been the best goalkeeper in the world for four or five years so I can't see a better candidate than him.
"His miracle save in injury time from Roy Makaay's shot is just further proof of his value.
"He is still very young, but he was already a world-class player when he made his debut at 17."
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