Fabio Cannavaro

Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian World Cup-winning captain of 2006 and former Ballon d'Or winner, took charge of Uzbekistan and brought a clear defensive structure rooted in his own career as a centre-back. He typically organises the side in a compact 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, prioritising defensive solidity and disciplined shape before transitioning quickly through Fayzullaev and Shomurodov. His previous managerial stints included Guangzhou Evergrande and the Chinese national team, making Uzbekistan his first major international role outside Asia's top tier.

Cannavaro sets Uzbekistan up in a 4-3-3, with Khusanov anchoring a back four that defends deep and compact. From there, the team looks to transition quickly: Fayzullaev drifts inside from wide positions to link play, while Oston Urunov and Jaloliddin Masharipov provide energy and box-to-box running in midfield. Shomurodov leads the line, holding the ball to bring runners into play rather than chasing in behind.