Fabio Capello shared his insights on the current state of the Serie A title race following Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Udinese. While Napoli missed an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table, Capello highlighted both the strengths of Udinese and the challenges facing Inter Milan as they prepare for a crucial match against Fiorentina.
On Napoli’s Draw Against Udinese
Capello refrained from criticizing Napoli for their performance, instead praising Udinese for their dynamic and well-rounded display. “It’s undoubtedly a setback, but even in yesterday’s difficulties, Napoli showed they can legitimately believe in the Scudetto because they are equipped for it,” he stated. He added, “More than blaming Napoli, I would emphasize Udinese’s merits. They surprised me with a great performance—not just physically, but also technically.”
Despite this, Capello acknowledged that Napoli missed a key chance to increase their lead over Inter and other challengers. “Psychologically, this draw gives strength to those chasing them,” he explained.
What Went Wrong for Napoli?
Capello pointed out that Napoli appeared less energetic than usual. “For once, they were less fresh than their opponents. By the end of the game, it was evident that Udinese had more energy,” he observed. Tactically, Napoli struggled to dominate the flanks as they typically do. “Usually, they win duels on the wings with players like Politano and Neres or through overlapping runs from Di Lorenzo and Mazzocchi. But Udinese closed down those spaces effectively,” he said.
This lack of width impacted Napoli’s attacking options. “There were few opportunities for Lukaku or midfielders like McTominay and Anguissa to make runs into the box. The goal came from a set piece—what an incredible header by McTominay—but they created little during open play,” Capello noted.
Lukaku’s Quiet Night
Romelu Lukaku had a subdued game, but Capello defended him. “He had maybe one playable ball in the box, and Udinese’s defense did well to disrupt his attempts. It wasn’t Lukaku’s fault; it was more about how well Udinese neutralized Napoli’s attack.”
Inter’s Challenge Against Fiorentina
Looking ahead to Inter’s match against Fiorentina, Capello warned Simone Inzaghi’s side to avoid repeating their mistakes from Thursday’s 3-0 loss at the Franchi. “Inter lacked rhythm in Florence. Their slow possession played right into Fiorentina’s hands,” he explained. The Viola exploited this by sitting deep and countering quickly after regaining possession.
To succeed against Fiorentina at San Siro, Capello urged Inter to change their approach. “They need to speed up their play with frequent switches of play to move the defense around. If they don’t do this, they’ll face similar problems as in Florence,” he cautioned.
Can Atalanta Rejoin the Title Race?
When asked if Atalanta could re-enter the Scudetto conversation after setbacks for both Napoli and Inter, Capello remained skeptical but didn’t rule it out entirely. “Gasperini’s team should believe because anything is possible in football,” he said. However, he emphasized that Napoli still look strong despite their draw with Udinese: “They remain first and don’t seem to be in crisis—they simply faced an excellent Udinese side.”
