Former Milan, Juventus and Roma coach Fabio Capello believes clubs will need to rely on larger squads as the fixture calendar becomes increasingly packed from now until the next break in November. with matches coming thick and fast. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello offered his insights on the challenges ahead for Serie A teams.
He began by highlighting the advantage Napoli has in not participating in European competitions. “Certainly. Conte has been very good at giving a boost, and compared to others, he can work calmly in training without having to prepare for a match every three days. It’s a great saving of energy, not only physical but especially mental,” he remarks.
When asked about Napoli’s upcoming matches against Empoli and Lecce, Capello expresses optimism for Antonio Conte’s side. He notes, “The feeling is that they can extend their lead. Napoli will have to be careful, but the national team has also boosted the morale of captain Di Lorenzo, who scored a brace against Israel: he’s the symbol of an Italy that has turned the page from the disappointing Euros, now playing without fear.”
Reflecting on Milan’s previous season, where they led before the October break but faltered upon return, Capello emphasizes the critical nature of this period. “It’s undoubtedly the most delicate period of the first part of the season because you don’t have time for recovery and injuries increase. From here on, the depth of the squad starts to make a difference,” he explains.
Regarding squad rotation, Capello agrees with Fonseca’s initial stance against it but acknowledges the necessity now. He questions Milan’s squad depth, asking, “Who can do Fofana’s job? No one… And if luxury reserves like Chukwueze continue to disappoint, it gets tough.”
On Juventus’s injury woes, Capello comments, “Bremer is a big loss, and Thiago Motta doesn’t have a vice-Vlahovic, with Milik sidelined. Koopmeiners has a broken rib, and we’ll see when he returns.” He adds, “Juventus still doesn’t have the certainty and conviction of a team that Inter has, and perhaps now Napoli too.”
Capello views Inter as the best-equipped for the dual commitment of league and European football. However, he cautions, “Inzaghi will have to be smart in using rotation intelligently. But more than anything, the Nerazzurri have been a bit superficial in this start, and if they don’t mentally return to being the team of last season, they risk dropping points with the busier schedule.”
Looking ahead to key matchups, Capello sees Juventus vs Lazio and Roma vs Inter as crucial, especially for the Roman teams. He notes Lazio’s positive start under Baroni but questions their squad depth. For Roma, he views the Inter match as particularly delicate, with potential consequences beyond just the league table.
On Atalanta’s slow start, Capello remains confident: “Gasperini starts slow and then accelerates. I have no doubt he’ll do it again this time.”
Concluding with Bologna and Fiorentina, Capello observes, “Fiorentina have done well against the big teams and less so against the smaller ones; Bologna is suffering from the departures of Zirkzee and Calafiori. In general, however, as Palladino repeats, they need time.”
