'Hard to emulate 2006'
Afp, Madrid
Real Madrid's Italian defender and World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro said Tuesday it would be hard to match last year's exploits in the coming 12 months but vowed to try to match an unforgettable 2006 which saw him lift the World Cup and then land a move to Spain. "It'll be difficult (for 2007) to be as good as 2006, but this year's objective is to maintain my form," former Juventus star Cannavaro said as Real resumed full training after a short mid-season break. The Italian, who said the recognition he received with his player of the year award was a major shot in the arm, went into the festive period smarting from two mistakes which helped modest Recreativo Huelva snatch a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu last month. He added that "now it's tough as when you have a bad game the knives are out." At the weekend Real must travel to Deportivo La Coruna, who have slid into the bottom six, looking to catch leaders Seville and reigning champions Barcelona, whom the trail by five and two points -- though Barca have a game in hand. Jose Antonio Reyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy were nursing knocks Tuesday but both are set to make the squad as La Liga resumes.
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