Capello identifies Milan’s biggest ‘flaw’ and explains Inter advantage in Serie A race

Fabio Capello has given an in-depth review of the two teams currently fighting for the Serie A title, Inter and Milan, has revealed what impresses him most about Cristian Chivu and has identified the biggest ‘flaw’ in Massimiliano Allegri’s team. 

Capello gave a feature interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Tuesday, during which he discussed the current Serie A title race and has explained why he thinks Inter are so superior to Milan this season, despite the Rossoneri’s lack of Champions League commitments. 

Capello believes that Inter have always had the advantage over Milan this season, despite their difficult end to the 2024-25 campaign. 

“Inter started with a stronger staff. Milan, on paper at least, should play with the aim of returning to Europe even if there are always some who expect more. I believe that the Serie A standings accurately reflect the values of those competing for the title,” Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“Chivu’s team has gone down a specific path. I see a deep conviction among the players. The new coach has been good at getting into the heads of his players, especially after the difficult end to last season. 

“They’re also doing well because they have a suitable squad, a strong team and not many weaknesses, albeit not as far as the right wing is concerned: Dumfries’s absence is costly and will continue to be costly.” 

Capello believes that recent criticism of veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has been unjust. 

“I think all the criticism of Sommer in recent weeks has been excessive. He’s an experienced goalkeeper, I notice that the Nerazzurri defenders trust him blindly and he’s very good at playing with his feet, despite the serious error he made in last Friday’s game against Pisa. Maybe it was due to an excess of confidence.” 

And when asked for his thoughts on the rumours that Inter are trying to bring Ivan Perisic back to San Siro, Capello said: “He’s 37 years old, but if they’re considering buying him it’s because the management are convinced that they need him. 

“Whatever the case, he doesn’t match the technical level that Inter are able to rely on on the left flank, where they remain among the best in Europe.” 

Turning his attention to his former club, Milan, Capello said: “Personally, I see a very passive team, unlike the Nerazzurri who often change dears depending on momentum of the game. Even when they lost to Arsenal for example, they had chances on the break. 

“Milan has a big flaw: The offensive department is acceptable, but when they have to defend, the two strikers don’t give any support to the team in terms of dropping back. Leao and Nkunku don’t do it, but neither do Pulisic or Fullkrug. It’s not possible to just hope you regain possession and start again.” 

Capello does not believe that Milan have a ‘Pioli-style’ comeback in them this season, though: “Because they’re still missing a few things: Definitely a defender, and then also something else. Milan needs something more, someone who decides games, who brings a change of pace, even if it’s coming off the bench.” 

Capello believes that Milan are still a team in transition. 

“It’s a team that’s still under construction, but must be among those four that qualify for the Champions League, even though everyone seems to think they’ll go much higher.” 

Still, Capello believes that Inter have a significant advantage over every other team in the division, particularly Milan. 

“Definitely,” he replied when asked if Inter’s large squad will help secure the title. “Chivu has the possibility of rotating more players despite having to play in more competitions.” 

Capello also believes that Milan’s lack of cup commitments this season is no longer the advantage that some seem to think it is. 

“At this point, I don’t think it’s (an advantage) anymore: Roma play in the cups, I thought they would have suffered from fatigue against the Rossoneri, but it wasn’t like that. On the contrary in fact. 

“They showed that freshness, that competitiveness and that determination that I expected to see in Milan. If there was a team that suffered, it was Allegri’s.” 

And lastly, when asked for his thoughts on Chivu, Capello said: “I like the innovations he’s introduced, like taking the day off before the game against Lecce. Nobody understands or ‘feels’ the dressing room more than he does. If he’s decided to go that way, it’s because he thinks it’s important for his players’ recovery. 

“The players also have to take some responsibility. They have to repay the coach’s trust, because everyone needs a life outside of football as well. But at the moment they’re doing both: On and off the pitch.”