Ex head coach of AC Milan and Juventus, Fabio Capello, spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the much-awaited match between the Rossoneri and the Bianconeri after the international break.
Here are his statements
"More years have passed, but for some reason, I remember the matches as a player more vividly. The Milan-Juve match in 1971 feels like yesterday: we won 4-1 at San Siro, and Bettega scored with a backheel. If I close my eyes, I also recall the victory in 1995, when I was coaching Milan, with goals from Simone, Weah, and Del Piero for Juventus. Unforgettable as well was the 2005 win while coaching Juventus: Del Piero’s overhead assist and Trezeguet's header goal. David never missed. Vlahovic should watch footage of the Frenchman and of Ibra."
Aren’t Dusah Vlahovic’s 9 goals at the start of this season enough?
"Dusan moves well in the box and, in some aspects, resembles Trezeguet. He needs to improve his teamwork, and Ibrahimovic’s movement is like a master class for great strikers. Vlahovic will be one of the keys in Milan-Juventus."
How so?
"If Milan insists on a high offside line, Vlahovic will be decisive by attacking the depth. Much of Milan-Juve will come down to these situations."
Who has more at stake in the upcoming big match?
"Milan. Whoever loses risks missing their last train for the Scudetto. This applies to everyone, especially Fonseca. Juventus is still unbeaten, and if they win at San Siro, they’ll send a strong signal to the entire league. The standings are tight at the top. Potentially, due to their squad and experience, Inter remains the favorite."
Paulo Fonseca and Thiago Motta are in their first season with Milan and Juventus: who’s further along in their project?
"Milan and Juventus are still two teams in development. Fonseca’s side seemed to blossom at the Bernabeu, then fell back at Cagliari. They score a lot but also concede too much. Thiago Motta has Serie A’s best defense and is gradually finding more goals. At San Siro, I expect Juventus to control the game and possession, waiting for the right moment to surprise Milan’s high defense with Vlahovic or Koopmeiners' runs. The Bianconeri come from a derby they dominated; I saw the best Juventus of the season against Torino. Fonseca will need a Bernabeu-style Milan to win, more compact and defensively focused."
As a coach, how would you have reacted to the goals Milan conceded at Cagliari? Capello replied:
"With me, they would’ve been more attentive... The impression is that Milan’s defenders focus too much on the ball and too little on the man. And in the box, as I always say, the ball doesn’t go in unless there’s an opponent to push it in."
If you could lend Paulo Fonseca and Thiago Motta a champion from the Milan or Juventus teams you coached for the big match at San Siro, who would it be?
"Fonseca would need the entire defensive block: Tassotti, Baresi, Costacurta, and Maldini. For Thiago, I’d lend Trezeguet. Or Emerson, the Puma—a great player."
If you were back on the bench, which Milan or Juventus player would you go crazy to sign? Capello said:
"Reijnders and Koopmeiners. Not because they’re Dutch, but because they know how to play and are complete in both phases. Reijnders works perfectly with Fofana—a great duo. Koop is top-tier; he just needs goals: I’d have found space for him even in my Juventus with Emerson and Vieira, perhaps playing a bit forward. Koopmeiners, in football intelligence, reminds me of Raul from Real Madrid; the Juventus player is stronger, while the Spaniard was more of a goal-scorer."
Who is better, Francisco Conceição or Rafael Leao?
"Why choose? Conceição on the right, Leão on the left. They’re very different Portuguese players. The Juventus man isn’t fast, but he has skill and dribbling, and he’s always a threat. Leão has immense power but has only used 75% of his potential so far; he lacks consistency. Recently, he seems to be improving, with a freer mind. Let’s see if he’ll prove it against Juventus. Thiago Motta will need to watch out for the Portuguese."
Quickfire: Chrisitan Pulisic or Kenan Yildiz?
"The American is more ready, but Yildiz has talent, and the future is his."
If you were Juventus, would you fear the former player Alvaro Morata more or a goal from the young Francesco Camarda?
"Morata rises to the occasion in big games and against former teams. At Juve, they know him well and won’t be thrilled to face him. Camarda is very young, but I watched him closely at Cagliari, and he moved well. It’s wonderful to see a 16-year-old at Milan."
Two ACL injuries in four months: after Gleison Bremer, Thiago Motta has also lost Juan Cabal... Capello commented:
"Losing Bremer was a big blow, and Cabal’s absence further limits their defensive options. In the January market, they need to secure reliable players."
Are you thinking of Milan Skriniar?
"With him, Juve would be set: he played for Inter, knows the pressure of Serie A and top clubs. He’s playing little at PSG; I think Skriniar would be happy to return to Italy."
