Who would you consider the superior player, Nesta or Cannavaro. I have been extremely impressed by both players and would like to know your opinions on these two players. I don't see very much Series A games anymore, so I don't know.
They are quite different players. Cannavaro is tenacious, an incredible man-marker, almost impossible to beat one-on-one when he's at his best form (I'm sure you remember the Italy-Holland Euro2000 semifinal - NOBODY could get past him) and strong in the air, even with his smallish stature. However, I feel that Nesta is simply the best all-central defender in the world. That position requires more of an ability to read the game. If he came forward a little bit more, he'd be the Baresi of this era. Who knows, maybe he will become that yet. I'm sure he cringes whenever he thinks of the mistake that let Mijatovic tie Italy in their Euro qualifier last year. But let's put it this way - if Milan had not signed Nesta they would not be in the CL final.
I do recall seeing the little Argentine Saviola giving Cannavaro a hard time during Barcelona and Inter's champion's league match. BTW SueB, how do you watch Euro here in the States? Do you know what channel it is on?
Yes, Canna has not been on his top form this season, which is why I qualified my statements a little bit. I also think he plays better with a great supporting cast (eg when he played with Thuram, on the national team with Nesta, etc ... ). Another reason I give the nod to Nesta. I watch Serie A every Sunday (well, Saturday these days) on RAI International via Dish network. It is the only reason we got Dish, and our view to the southwestern horizon was one of the factors we used in choosing where to build our house!
Nesta i've always been impressed by both (i mean italy has one of the best defenses... if not the best defense in the world) but it just seems that Nesta is the better all around defender.
Nesta is better. Cannavaro is more aggressive, but I mean, Nesta is just incredible. Best all around defender I've seen in a very long time.
As if there's a doubt! Nesta is by far the better defender. Almost every goal Italy allowed in Japorea was when Nesta wasn't on the pitch, and I don't think without him Milan even comes close to the CL final. He's easily the best central defender in Europe right now. Its odd to think that he was bought for about half of what ManUtd. spent on Rio.