Dutch sympathy for Cannavaro

Bouma believes Italy will miss star defender

Last updated: 4th June 2008

Wilfred Bouma Holland

Bouma: Sympathy for Cannavaro

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Holland defender Wilfred Bouma has admitted Fabio Cannavaro's absence will be a blow for Italy ahead of the meeting between the two countries next week.

Italy meet Holland next month in their opening game in Group C, but the World Cup winners will be without captain Cannavaro for the titanic battle.

Cannavaro will miss the entire tournament in Austria and Switzerland after picking up an ankle injury in a training ground collision with team-mate Giorgio Chiellini.

Aston Villa ace Bouma, who is hoping to be in the Holland starting XI to face Italy, admits the Italians will feel the loss of Cannavaro.

"That is a blow for them, but that doesn't mean any other preparation for us," Bouma told Sky Sports News.

"He is one of the best defenders in the world, but Italy are known always for good defenders so there will be another one."

Sympathy

Bouma's Dutch team-mate Dirk Kuyt also expressed his sympathy for the injury sustained by Cannavaro.

"It is very sad that a quality player like him has to leave the tournament because of an injury," noted Kuyt.

"You don't want that to happen to anyone even if it's your biggest rival at the moment because we play Italy next week.

"You don't want to see players like that leaving the tournament."