Former legendary coach Fabio Capello spoke to Milannews He answered many questions regarding the club, Pioli, Maldini, Ibrahimovic and much more.
- Was Pioli better mentally or tactically by insisting on 4-2-3-1?
Capello: "I think that the tactic comes from the mind. It's important to enter the minds of players who understand and like that game system considering that it made them all perform at their best. I am very happy that Pioli remained with the club, because hasty decisions were going to be made. There was Maldini's skill and determination to maintain continuity in the work done and the results prove him right."
- Did you expect such a performance in this role for Maldini and how do you rate his work so far?
Capello: "With Paolo Maldini I have a relationship of great esteem and affection, having had a great friendship first with Cesare and then with the whole family. The fact that he could do so well in such a short period is amazing. He managed to approach this role with the talent and precocity that he showed in his debut on the pitch. He made himself ready. I coached him at the age of 16 in the Primavera and I know something about him. I am very happy that they have awarded him as the strongest left-back in history. Finally some awards have also arrived for the defenders."
- Among Maldini's choices, together with Boban and the Rossoneri management, there was the desire to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Did his performance surprise you?
Capello: "No, it absolutely did not surprise me. He is a proud professional and always wants to show that he is the strongest of all. He manages to do it because he is an absolute champion and has the head to be able to continue. He still has the incentives to stay on the pitch, to sacrifice himself and to be able to work and in this sense he is an example for everyone and for the whole team. Ibrahimovic is a player capable of making a difference and we have often forgotten about him when we talk about the greatest players ever."
- How was the first Ibrahimovic for you?
Capello: "We noticed great potential in him. I made him work hard to grow and improve, day after day. He immediately understood that with daily work you improve. Quality grows further with work and effort. He proved to be an intelligent man and capable of understanding that certain demands were not obligations but advice to enhance the performance."
- What amazes you about Theo Hernandez. Do you rememember any players similar to him?
Capello: "This time Real Madrid made the mistake that Inter made with Roberto Carlos when I bought him in my experience with the 'Blancos'. I signed Roberto Carlos and was surprised that Inter wanted him sold. It was the quickest purchase in history. We brought him and signed the contracts in less than 24 hours. Real Madrid made the same mistake with Theo that Inter did with Roberto Carlos. They didn't take into account this player's quickness and speed other than his ability to improve. Theo is a very strong player."
- You coached the 3 Dutch and Savicevic How important were those secondary but incredibly talented players like Albertini or Donadoni in the construction of the success?
Capello: "These players were important. Several coaches have come but the dressing room mentality was transferred to all who arrived. That was the strength of the team. They were men of value who knew how to pass on the Rossoneri DNA."
On 17 August 1995 Marco van Basten retired. Beyond the rhetoric, what were Capello's feelings on the day of Marco's retirement?
Capello: "I have always maintained an excellent relationship with Marco and I had the great misfortune that Marco played very little with me. With Van Basten in good shape we would have won even more. Due to him being stubborn, he pushed to get an operation. I remember Doctor Monti telling him to wait while instead he had a surgeon operate on him and he destroyed him. At that age, a player like him couldn't stop. When something beautiful and important leaves the field it is impossible to remain indifferent."
Capello also spoke of Milanello Sports Centre: "Milanello is a sports center that was born many years ago, which has been renovated and all the great Milan players have passed through there and when you enter you breathe fantastic air which is almost magical. In a few places I have breathed such similar story. In Madrid there is a more glorious air when you enter the offices or the Bernabeu than in Valdedebas which is a new and refurbished sports center. Milanello is different and in its construction we must give great credit to Berlusconi, to Galliani and to those who worked there."
Capello also spoke of Berlusconi: "He was a visionary and he brought Milan to these levels and made this center to be a front image and it continue to being so. It is a place where no conditions are missing to work well."
