Cannavaro: Rotations Will Extend My Career

Fabio Cannavaro believes that the squad rotation policy at Real Madrid could extend his playing career and he is enjoying his first taste of being rested.

The Italian central defender has admitted to never having been part of a similar system before, but is enjoying the opportunity to not play every single match.

Bernd Schuster is keen to keep his players' legs fresh depending on the following match and Cannavaro has even been able to take time out from training to conserve energy.

"It will extend players' careers," the former Parma, Juventus and Inter centre-half told reporters from the Italian national team camp in Florence.

"Of the seven games this season, I have played in five and once the coach told me to forget about training and to stay at home with my family."

"With Madrid it is the first time in my career that I have been part of a rotation policy."

Cannavaro then reflected on the lack of new defenders coming through the ranks in Italy and called for more work to be done at youth level.

"My generation and the one before produced some great players for that position. But now I do see only a few new Cannavaros," he continued.

"Italy need to work with the youth even more, like that did with us."