Former Real Madrid and AC Milan manager Fabio Capello shared his thoughts ahead of the highly anticipated Champions League clash between the two clubs. Speaking at the Premio Viareggio Sport event, Capello expressed his concerns about Milan’s current form and the formidable challenge posed by Real Madrid.
Capello remarked, “I am worried about Real Madrid; they are a relentless goal-scoring machine. I will be present at the match, but I am concerned. I hope not to see a debacle. I’ve noticed that Milan is sometimes not fully focused and can be a bit distracted.”
Turning his attention to Inter Milan, Capello noted their struggles this season: “Inter has problems. Last year, they didn’t concede much, but this season, they have been more vulnerable. However, they continue to perform well in attack.”
On Atalanta’s strong performance this season, Capello praised their winning mentality: “They are used to winning, as seen in the Europa League, and they know how to be protagonists. The players are aware of their strength, and the coach maximizes their potential. Given the standings, we need to keep an eye on Atalanta and several other teams. The current phase of the league is very interesting; I thought Napoli would run away with it, but now we have a competitive mix.”
Discussing Fiorentina’s situation, he commented on the pressure surrounding coach Palladino: “Criticism is part of football; winning is what matters. Results come first, then perhaps beautiful play. Fiorentina is playing well and their position in the table reflects that. Everyone has seen Kean’s potential; he is physically strong and strikes well but had lost his way a bit. It’s also about having the ability to endure when not at your best and fighting to recover.”
Capello also addressed the possibility of Francesco Totti returning to football: “A return for Totti? He’s joking; he’s no longer at that age. He says it to highlight that there’s less running in Italian football nowadays.” He added his hopes for Mario Balotelli: “Balotelli is another talent; I hope he can sacrifice himself to show his abilities.”
When asked about Roma’s internal issues following a recent coaching change, Capello stated, “I don’t understand it completely, so I’ll refrain from commenting further. The problem seems internal; when there are such divergences and you dismiss a newly confirmed coach, it indicates something we haven’t grasped.”
Reflecting on foreign ownership in Italian football, he said, “Some are better than others. In this football era, players are bought using algorithms without proper scouting. We need to be serious and traditional while still embracing modernity.”
Finally, regarding Juventus’ current state, Capello described them as “under construction.” He noted that while they occasionally perform well, they have yet to reach expectations: “They haven’t expressed themselves as we thought they would under Motta’s guidance with Bologna. I don’t want to give advice; I just know that anyone coaching Juventus must win.”
As anticipation builds for the upcoming match between Real Madrid and AC Milan, Capello’s insights highlight both the challenges facing Milan and the competitive landscape of Serie A this season.
