Fabio Capello called on Rafael Leao to ‘become a man’ on the pitch, while the new arrivals in Turin will help fans see the ‘real’ Juventus. The former Rossoneri coach and Sky Sport Italia pundit was previewing the new season of the Champions League in a n interview with Il Corriere della Sera, and shared his thoughts on the various teams taking part, the new format, and what he expects from the Italian contingent:
What do you expect?
“With a single ranking all matches will be important, there will no longer be useless matches. And it will be difficult to make calculations on advancing to the next round.”
With two more matches and a tighter tournament, is it also complicated to understand the impact on the leagues?
“There is no doubt that it will be a very important impact. And for those aiming to win the Champions League it will be essential to have a large squad and rotate players. For the others it will all be a bit more difficult.”
Let’s start from the top. Real loses Kroos and adds Mbappé. Does the product not change?
“They remain the favorites. Mbappé, with the qualities he has, will be quick to fit into the playing system. Then Ancelotti is too intelligent and will make him unload certain responsibilities. The absence of a metronome like Kroos, Camavinga’s injury, Bellingham’s current absence, could still give some small problems.”
Is Guardiola’s cycle at City heading towards a sunset, however golden?
“I don’t know if it will really be his last year, but the players might want to do something incredible precisely for this reason. And I see them very aggressive and compact. People like Rodri or De Bruyne have a lot of pride. And Haaland is scoring like crazy. It won’t be easy to beat them.”
It starts right away with City-Inter: do you think the distance compared to the Champions League final has further narrowed?
“I’m waiting for this match: the last twenty minutes of Istanbul have stayed in my head and I would like to see if the distance has really shortened, as it seemed in that last glimpse of the final. If Lukaku doesn’t miss that chance on goal…”
When you talk about rotation, do you also have Inter in mind, who last year in the first phase played their best formation only in the league?
“Yes, last year it also went well. Inzaghi had to be more careful, but that experience will have served him: he will have to use rotations more often, to have everyone always in excellent condition.”
Who would you give the Ballon d’Or to?
“I would reward Rodri, for what he did in the league, in the Champions League and at the European Championship. During the season he was the strongest of all.”
The numbers say that Lautaro in the Champions League is not at the level of Haaland, Mbappé or Vinicius. Can he still become that?
“The numbers prove him wrong, it’s true. However, the potential to do more is certainly there. One of the things to see in this City-Inter is precisely the growth of Lautaro and Thuram.”
Juve return to the Champions League and Motta for the first time will have the double commitment: do you expect any adaptation problems?
“From what we’ve seen, the defence will remain a strong point, as it was with Allegri. He will have to do something different at the midfield and attack level. Against Roma a slowdown was seen, but with the new arrivals we will see the real Juve.”
Does the talk around Lautaro also apply to Vlahovic?
“At the European Championship he did little, as indeed at the World Cup: maybe he finds new ways and inspirations in the way he moves on the field. It’s important that Motta gives him something more.”
Milan have Liverpool before the derby: can the Champions League become a ground for revival?
“I hope I’m completely wrong, but I see it as difficult because I’ve seen a team that’s been struggling too much so far. Nothing has changed compared to last year in terms of organization. It will take a burst of pride from the players: they will have to demonstrate, after that foolishness in the last match by Leao and Theo Hernandez, that they are a group. And that they can run. Because balance is the most important thing.”
Will the wait for a high-level Leao come to an end?
“Everything that happens at Milan seems to be Leao’s fault and he does everything to ensure this situation continues. However, he’s the only one who can create danger: it’s time that after his childish tantrums he becomes a man.”
You are the coach who gave something more to a young Ibra at Juve. Would it be necessary for him to have a master also at the managerial level?
“It’s a different job, like when a player stops and immediately coaches a big team: almost all of them have great difficulty. Those who have been successful have done some youth sector work or been assistants: it takes a lot. You need credibility because you’re judged every day by everyone. Holidays? What matters is what you do when you’re present. And you have to try to be present.”
Do you believe that Chiesa at Liverpool will carve out a role for himself?
“I believe he has the right speed to play in the Premier League. Instead I saw Zirkzee who has great difficulties, because he thinks he’s still playing with Italian rhythms.”
Italiano has made two Conference finals, Gasperini has won the Europa League: in this super Champions League do they risk ending up battered?
“The Champions League burns energy, even in the head. They must face it with attention, serenity, maximum respect for every opponent, but without underestimating themselves. They must play it without reverence.”
Kompany at Bayern, Arteta at Arsenal: Guardiola’s emulators are growing but he remains unique?
“He had an open wallet, but you have to be able to spend well based on needs. The most important thing is that he managed to get into their heads a playing system that has evolved every year, based on the characteristics of the players.”
Is the Italian mission of bringing 5 out of 5 teams to the round of 16 within reach?
“I see it as difficult, but I hope so: the possibility with this new formula is there.”
Should Inter aim for the top eight?
“How can they not aim for it? They have twenty-two starters and it would be an insult to the players not to do so.”
Would it surprise you to see Allegri already on the bench in some team in this Champions League?
“Why not? If someone needs to look for a good coach, they think of Allegri. He has made history in Italian football.”
Who can be the wild card of the tournament?
“Little is said about Yamal’s Barcelona, which cannot buy players. And I’m curious to see where PSG will go without Mbappé: these are two teams that I follow with great attention.”
