Legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello recently offered his expert assessment of the initial weeks of the Serie A season during an appearance at the prestigious Festival dello Sport. He provided his views on the leading title contenders and discussed some of the most influential figures in the league.
The former manager of England and AC Milan commended Napoli for their remarkable consistency and lauded Inter`s revitalization under Cristian Chivu. Capello specifically pointed to Milan`s effective blend of youthful talent and seasoned experience as a crucial element behind their impressive start to the campaign.
Furthermore, Capello analyzed the potential of Roma, now managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, and voiced his concerns about Juventus, suggesting they still struggle with a lack of balance and creative spark in their midfield.
Capello`s Team-by-Team Breakdown for Serie A
Speaking at the festival, Capello highlighted key aspects of the top clubs:
“Napoli demonstrates absolute competitiveness, while Inter has truly been reborn, showing renewed confidence in both the team and their coach. Milan, with the invaluable contributions of two veterans like Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot, is doing something truly interesting: they are illustrating to the younger players how quality and determination can lead to significant success.”
When discussing Rafael Leao`s inconsistent performances, Capello remarked:
“He possesses immense qualities, but often loses concentration during matches. He isn`t always fully engaged, particularly on the defensive side. It appears he has found a coach who has managed to `put the claws on him` – hopefully not to harm him, but rather to awaken his full potential.”
Regarding Roma`s potential ambitions for the season, he stated:
“I believe they have the capability to contend for the Scudetto. They boast talented players such as Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala, alongside a relentless coach who has a clear vision. With strategic reinforcements in key areas, Roma could emerge as one of the season`s surprises.”
Capello concluded his analysis by outlining the current limitations facing Juventus:
“Juventus currently lacks the optimal balance and a midfield that can consistently deliver. They need a midfield that is defensively sound while also providing the kind of creativity that a player like Modric offers. The team heavily relies on its wingers, but the more significant issue is that their strikers, despite substantial investment, have not performed to expectations.”
