Capello analyses Inter, Juventus and Atalanta Champions League draws: ‘Complicated’

Fabio Capello has given his thoughts after Friday’s Champions League play-off draw, has explained why Inter face the biggest ‘risk’ against Bodo/Glimt, and has explained why Juventus’s clash against Galatasaray is just as ‘complicated’ as Atalanta’s tie with Borussia Dortmund. 

Three Italian sides qualified for the Champions League play-off round after the conclusion of the league phase earlier this week. 

Inter finished highest of the bench in 10th place, followed by Juventus in 13th and Atalanta in 15th. Napoli were beaten 3-2 at home against Chelsea on Wednesday night and were subsequently eliminated in 30th place. 

Friday’s knock-out round draw has seen Inter tied against Bodo/Glimt, Juventus against Galatasaray and Atalanta against Borussia Dortmund in two-legged play-off matches that will take place in the midweek slots of February 17/18 and February 24/25. 

On Paper, Capello believes that Inter have the easiest opponents, but a trip to the arctic circle to face Bodo/Glimt on an artificial pitch is not without its complications, as Manchester City have recently discovered. 

“Their win against Atletico Madrid definitely counts for something, but the game they won the previous week against Manchester City is even more significant,” Capello said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Clearly, Bodo step up when they’re facing a stronger team.”

He continued: “Playing on the artificial pitch is never easy. The ball bounces differently, the balance is different, and this aspect counts for a lot. Temperatures should improve for the play-offs, but the cold shouldn’t be an excuse. 

“The mistake would be to think ‘we’re lucky to have got a favourable draw’, to underestimate the opponent. That would be the worst thing that could happen to Inter.

“The artificial pitch is an ugly beast, but the difference in levels between the two teams is so significant, that if taken seriously, there shouldn’t be any major concerns. It shouldn’t be the same as City, who had to go there for a (one-off) away trip. 

If Inter were to get past Bodo/Glimt, they would then be met by either Sporting CP or Manchester City in the round of 16. 

“There’s a big difference between one possibility and the other, especially if City recover some of their players because they have a lot of them out at the moment,” Capello said. 

Turning his attention to Juventus, who will have to visit Istanbul in their tie against Galatasaray, Capello said: “It’s a boiling atmosphere there. They have great support and a lot of discipline, Galatasaray transform when they are at home. 

“They’ll have to play a real game in the first leg. There are old acquaintances in Osimhen and Icardi, but I see it as a difficult away game because of the way the atmosphere spurs the team on.” 

Juventus haven’t reached the Champions League round of 16 for the last four years, but Capello believes this is not a reason for the Bianconeri players to become nervous. 

“Their legs won’t shake. The opposite if anything. The fact that this is a difficult game will force the players to be more focused and determined. I see it as a bigger risk for Inter, the possibility of underestimating the occasion. 

Atalanta have been handed a tricky draw against Borussia Dortmund. 

“It’s not a very easy route,” Capello agreed. “BVB were just beaten at home by Inter and therefore they will have a desire for revenge, to continue their journey. 

“We’ve seen that Atalanta have dangerous quality in attack, but Palladino needs to pay more attention in the defensive phase. The famous Yellow Wall is not quite as powerful as Galatasaray’s, though.” 

When asked if Atalanta or Juventus have the tougher tie, Capello said: “I see the first leg in Istanbul as being complicated, but in general, it’s Atalanta who have the most difficult opponent.”