‘I don’t feel pressure,’ says Guangzhou Evergrande boss Cannavaro after shaky start to second stint

Cannavaro replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari last November but the seven-time league champions have managed just two wins in five games since the start of the year.

Guangzhou won the Chinese Super Cup against Shanghai Shenhua last month before picking up their first win in three matches in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday with a 5-3 victory over South Korea’s Jeju United.

But draws against Thailand’s Buriram United and Cerezo Osaka of Japan as well as an opening 5-4 defeat in the Chinese Super League against cross-city rivals Guangzhou R&F have placed the Italian World Cup winner under scrutiny.

“I’m not saying there’s no pressure at Evergrande, there’s pressure at Evergrande all the time,” the former defender said after his side’s Asian Champions League win.

“But I am myself and, no matter if I’m playing for Real Madrid or at the World Cup, I’ve never felt pressure.

“Being in a football environment is where I’m most comfortable. I only feel excited and motivated when it comes to crucial, difficult, important matches.”