Fabio Capello, the renowned former coach, has shared his insights on the current state of Italy’s top football clubs. His analysis for Gazzetta dello Sport covers the recent performances and challenges faced by Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli:
“Tomorrow evening, Milan will play at home against Lecce. On paper, it seems like a simple task, but after the derby victory, we’re waiting for this match to see if the Rossoneri have truly found their game and balance. I expect Fonseca to play his best eleven because he’ll want to verify if the Milan from the derby is the right team capable of providing the best tactical balance.
Milan Balance
It’s the element they were looking for. Milan, in the second half against Inter, demonstrated balance by not conceding much and creating more. So I believe the match against Lecce will serve the coach to have confirmation from the team after what they did in the second part of the derby. With the Champions League immediately after, I don’t know if Fonseca will choose to rotate. Personally, I would start those who played against Inter and then make some changes during the match. The formula with two strikers convinces me and I like it a lot because Morata and Abraham are players who participate in both phases, offensive and defensive, so they’re always ready to help the midfield. But at the same time, particularly Morata, when he drops back, has a clear vision of the game.
Inter, and the leaders?
Inter will go to Udine, it’s not an easy match because they’ll find a team that was defeated in Rome that will want to redeem itself. The same goes for Inter after the derby loss. I believe the Nerazzurri need to find themselves mentally: they need to rediscover the humility and desire they had. For example, what they showed in England against Manchester City in the Champions League: it was only seen in the first 25 minutes against Milan. Inter’s main pitfall can be Inter themselves, but it’s something that can happen after winning a championship: the most important thing is to rediscover humility to start from scratch. The players who matter, and I’m referring to the leaders, at least until today in the league have become complacent. Inzaghi’s rotation, then, is excessive: when he does it so massively, I think it creates a bit of confusion in the players’ heads. Agreed, Inter has a squad with two players in all roles and the coach must make it clear that they’re all valid, but there’s time. And so, maybe first get back on the main road, then make the appropriate detours.
Juve dry
Juventus are expected in Genoa: they never concede goals but, in this period, they don’t score either. It has become a problem. They have too slow ball possession, they’re not very dangerous. The match against Napoli was really boring. So something more is needed, Juventus needs to take more risks: they shouldn’t just think about possession, but they need to play more vertically and attack more. This is the moment when I expect a jolt from Juve: after such an important summer transfer market, it’s one of the teams candidate to fight for the Scudetto. Motta needs to bring out something more, and it seems to me that he too is looking for the way. I don’t know if he’s found it: he has the ideas, but perhaps the artists haven’t learned the script well yet.
Napoli’s Humility
Napoli host Monza and has something important: the humility with which results are obtained. Conte knows where to lead his team and I believe he can do very interesting things. It’s not yet a Napoli in Conte’s image and likeness, but it’s on the right track. Then Torino-Lazio stands out: after the Coppa Italia setback, Torino will want to restart, but they face a Lazio that is rediscovering its game. It’s the most interesting match of the sixth round: Lazio is re-proposing itself and Torino wants to confirm its top position. It will be a very difficult game, to be followed carefully also in terms of the two coaches: Vanoli and Baroni are not very young, but they are rich in ideas. They want to show the new wave that they have something more to say.
