Cannavaro looking to improve performances at Real

MADRID, Jan 3 (Reuters) Fabio Cannavaro has said he will have to improve his performances at Real Madrid if he is to live up to his new billing as World and European Player of the Year.

''It is going to be very difficult for me to repeat what I did in 2006 because it was an incredible year for me,'' the Italy captain was quoted as saying on Real Madrid's Web site (www.realmadrid.com) today.

''I won the league with Juventus then won the World Cup with Italy which is the dream of every footballer. I was also given two really prestigious personal awards but the down side is that if I now make a mistake in a game everyone complains about it.

''As everyone knows I played some good games, some bad games and some very bad games at the end of 2006 and that is something I'm not happy about. I need to be more consistent in my performances.'' The 33-year-old was singled out for particular criticism during Real's 3-0 defeat at home to Recreativo Huelva in their final league match before the Christmas break after making errors that led to two of the visitors' goals.

But despite the upset, which left Real five points adrift of leaders Sevilla in the standings, Cannavaro believes that Real are still capable of winning a trophy this season.

''The team is very strong and we need to stay calm and work hard because that is the only way to win things,'' he said. ''It doesn't matter if it is the league, the Champions League or the Cup, the important thing is that we win a trophy.'' Real play their first match of the year against Deportivo Coruna at the Riazor on Sunday, a ground where they have not won in the league for 15 years.

Reuters PM VV1623