Capello analyses Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma Scudetto chances

Fabio Capello believes that it is a genuine five-horse race for the Serie A title this season, but believes that all of Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma have room for improvement if they are to claim the 2025-26 Scudetto. 

The former Milan, Roma, Juventus and England head coach analysed all five team’s chances of winning the Serie A title in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Four points separates five teams at the top of the Serie A standings heading into the Christmas period. It’s an entertaining and satisfying table for the neutral, with Inter on 33 points, Milan on 32, Napoli on 31, Roma on 30 and Juventus on 29. 

Asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport whether this five-way race for the Serie A title could go the full distance, Capello said: “Why not? I don’t see anyone breaking away at the moment. They all score points, they all occasionally slow down. Milan and Roma were in the lead, now Inter and Napoli are back up there, Juve are seriously getting back into the frame.”

Does he see Juventus as worthy title challengers this season? 

“Their season certainly isn’t over. They’ve got a run of forms that could bring them 12 points in their next few games,” he said.

And on Spalletti, Capello said: “He’s found the right players to play in many positions. He’s rediscovered that determination and aggressiveness that had disappeared. And Juve are one of the few Italian sides who can take players on and create a numerical superiority: Yildiz, Conceicao, Zhegrova, they often put rivals in trouble.” 

Does he feel that Juventus are genuine Scudetto contenders this season?

“Juve are there, they could make up the gap, and they still have direct clashes left to play,” he answered. 

On Inter, Capello says: “Chivu has played it safe so far. I think he’s evaluated the (suboptimal) condition of several players and has therefore decided to hold off with any experiments. He’s in the lead though.” 

And on Milan, he added: “Milan drop points and concede goals, that’s not like Allegri. This is Milan’s downfall: They have to find defensive solidity. Mistakes have cost them far too many points. Their attitude is very attacking, but they do find trouble at the back.” 

Milan are in the process of signing Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham to plug a gap in attack, but does Capello feel that he is a wise signing in January? 

“It’s a great question. It’s definitely difficult to play without a no.9. Fullkrug is an old-fashioned striker, the club must have had a discussion over who the right fit would be. But it’s not just a question of centre-forwards: They’re not playing in Europe and they need to take advantage of that.” 

Capello agrees with many supporters that Roma need more attacking options before they can be considered serious title contenders this season: “Without a centre-forward, Gasperini has also had a lot of problems,” he said. 

“It’s difficult. Against Juventus, there was no reference point up front. Roma played better in the first half, but they made a mistake in insisting on playing through the middle when Juve had just brought Bremer back in.” 

And on the attackers that Roma have been linked with so far this winter, Capello said: “I like Zirkzee a lot, he knows how to play with his back to goal and moves well. Raspadori on the other hand, is more of a second striker. He fits in well, he has a sense for goals, but he’s not a centre-forward.” 

And lastly, on Napoli, fresh off a Supercoppa Italiana victory in Saudi Arabia on Monday night, Capello said: “Napoli have excellent players and a winning coach in Conte.

“Now Lukaku and some of the other injured players are back, and the success in the Supercoppa will be massive for the players’ mindset. It’s a psychological turning point that could also relaunch them in the league.”