Fabio Capello believes Juventus can still put pressure on Inter, but doesn’t understand Simone Inzaghi’s decisions in the Champions League and warns Milan about Monza.
The former Italian tactician previewed the upcoming Serie A Round on La Gazzetta dello Sport
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The Round 16 starts tonight, Friday, December 15 with Juventus’ away game at Genoa.
“It’s the third time in a row the Bianconeri play on Friday. The previous times, they always managed to put pressure on Inter,” said Capello.
“On a merely psychological level, playing before your opponents allows you to face the challenge with adequate serenity. You know you have to win the game, without overthinking, then you can sit on the couch and wait for your rivals. Allegri has called the Marassi game a dangerous obstacle and he is right. Gilardino’s team are doing well, especially at home, but they were unlucky in the dying minutes of some games, otherwise they’d be in a better position in the table.
“However, I see a confidence that Juventus didn’t have before,” continued the ex-Juventus and Milan tactician.
“The players know what they want and what to do to get it. That’s how Allegri is handling a team that has gained personality and this makes all the difference in the world.
“Obviously, Inter remain favourite to win the title and Moise Kean’s injury could create troubles for Juve. We know how fragile the starters Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic are, and losing the national team striker for a month means having fewer options when strikers are struggling to score.”
Inter will visit Inzaghi’s former club Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night. The Nerazzurri failed to win their Champions League group, collecting a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad at San Siro this past Tuesday, so they won’t be among the seeded teams in the Round of 16 draw on Monday.
“I didn’t understand Simone Inzaghi’s strategy in Europe,” Capello admitted.
“The game against Real Sociedad was crucial, on paper. However, Lautaro remained on the bench for more than one hour, so I am asking myself: wouldn’t have it been better to rest the Argentinean in the second half with Udinese when Inter were already leading 3-0? Now Inter face Lazio, a tricky fixture for Inzaghi over the last few years. Both teams played in the Champions League [earlier this week] so, thanks to rotations, I expect the table leaders to be more rested than Sarri’s men.”
On the other hand, Milan beat Newcastle 2-1 on Wednesday, but it wasn’t enough to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 as PSG earned a draw in Dortmund against Borussia. Capello is looking forward to seeing the Rossoneri in their next Serie A fixture with Monza, even if Stefano Pioli is short of options in defence.
“The most intriguing game of the weekend is between Milan and Monza,” noted Capello.
“On the one hand, I’d like to see the same Milan of the last 25 minutes in Newcastle, but on the other hand, I am excited to watch Palladino’s team. Monza play good football, they have courage and play vertically, so it won’t be easy for Pioli, who, however, was smart in the last game, who used zonal marking rather than playing man-on-man to make the most of the English’s physical drop. The win at St. James’ Park can make the players, especially the new ones, understand they are strong.”
Another big game on Sunday is between Bologna and Roma at the Stadio Dall’Ara with both sides sitting fourth in the Serie A table with 25 points.
“Thiago Motta is the emerging coach I like the most, alongside Palladino and he has Zirkzee, one of the best young players in the league,” noted Capello.
“However, he must watch out for the experienced Mourinho. The Giallorossi are without Dybala and Lukaku, but I wouldn’t be too relaxed; it’s precisely at difficult times that Mourinho gives his best.
“Lastly, I expect a step forward from Napoli. Walter Mazzarri knows he must fix the defence, and he finally didn’t concede against Braga. Let’s see if he will do the same against Cagliari.”