Capello: ‘Milan can’t hide from the Scudetto, but Leao and Pulisic are not Lautaro’

Fabio Capello stands by the fact that Milan are genuine contenders for the Scudetto in 2025-26, but believes that their next two matches are perhaps the most important of the season: ‘I the Rossoneri were to win in the capital as well, it would be difficult to hide away from the Scudetto’. 

The former Rossoneri, Roma, Juventus and England head coach gave his thoughts on the current state of affairs in Milan in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Friday morning. 

As things stand, Milan sit three points behind city rivals Inter in second place in the Serie A table. They have 17 games to go to make up those points on the Nerazzurri, who are still involved in Champions League and Coppa Italia action, unlike the Rossoneri. 

Still, head coach Massimiliano Allegri continues to insist that Milan’s only goal this season is to achieve qualification to the Champions League, rather than fighting for the league title. 

“It’s normal for Max to play hide and seek,” Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“He’s too experienced to not know the risks of saying the word Scudetto out loud in public. Once you climb so high, if you stop flying, the fall can hurt even more. And so he sits and talks about tables, but he’ll be doing the calculations.” 

Capello went on to give his analysis of Milan’s recent 1-0 victory against Lecce. 

“A great result,” he said. “The result of the coach’s psychological work with the group. Today, there is a spirit about Milan, which is why they manage to recover even in those games where they go behind or aren’t doing very well. I think that Max has worked a lot on this aspect and the only defeat of the first 21 games coming against Cremonese is proof of that.”

Capello was asked whether he thinks that recent criticism of Milan helped spur Allergi’s side on against Lecce. 

He replied: “No, Allegri won’t care about what people say on the outside. He also knows that the team can and must improve. For example, I didn’t think it was a great Milan side in the first half. They moved the ball slowly, the midfielders struggled to get involved and there was often only one Rossoneri player in the area up against three Lecce defenders. Scoring goals becomes complicated like that.” 

And when asked if he thinks part of Milan’s ‘struggle’ for goals is due to the fact that Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are not natural centre-forwards, Capello said: “Exactly, they are forwards who like to mix it up, drop back or spread out to receive the ball and create.

“Pulisic knows how to move a bit better in the area, but Leao is learning now. Neither of them are Lautaro, though, and that shows.” 

And when asked for his opinion on new Milan striker Niclas Fullkrug, Capello said: “He’s a true nine, who knows how to take advantage of the slightest slip-up at the back. The surprise (against Lecce) again was Rabiot, who rose to a higher level in the second half.” 

And when asked if he thinks Milan should consider going back to an attacking front three, Capello said: “It always depends on the form and availability of the players. But nowadays, with five substitutions, you can change the tactical shape of the team, even during the game. It’s even easier when you have a smart coach like Max in the dugout.” 

One of the criticisms that Allegri faced after the Lecce match was his persistence with the back three, even when Lecce didn’t have any recognised strikers on the pitch. 

Responding to those criticisms, Capello said: “Allegri explained that he needed defenders for preventative marking and increasing the pressure. Too often Milan have a tendency to let opponents into the area, especially against smaller sides. Instead, every once in a while you have to press, defend forwards and not backwards.” 

Capello was asked for his opinions on some of Milan’s ‘second-string’ players, including Ardon Jashari. 

“He did better (against Lecce) than he had done in recent outings. But let me tell you, you could see the difference when Modric came on. Shall we talk about the throw that sent Nkunku in on goal? Phenomenal stuff.” 

And looking ahead to Milan’s next few matches, Capello said: “The trips to the Olimpico and then to Bologna will really tell us where Milan are, especially because those games come when Inter are playing against Pisa and Cremonese. There is a risk of losing ground there. 

“That’s why I think these matches are decisive. Milan have to stay there, one game away. It will be a good Champions League challenge against Gasperini. Roma, with Malen, has added danger to its attack. 

“But, if the Rossoneri were to win in the capital as well, it would be difficult to hide away from the Scudetto.” 

And lastly, when asked whether he thinks that Milan’s lack of European football will give them an advantage over the likes of Inter, Napoli and Juventus in the league, Capello said: “Being able to focus on the league is an advantage for Allegri, undoubtedly.”