Legendary former AC Milan, Real Madrid, and England coach Fabio Capello feels that the all-Italian back three of Inter Milan have done a brilliant job in reaching the Champions League final.

Capello spoke to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInter1908. The former coach hailed Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni for the key roles that they played in the Nerazzurri’s Champions League campaign.

Inter have kept five clean sheets in their six Champions League knockout matches.

This would be some feat in any imaginable situation. However, the fact that this has been done without their star defender makes it all the moreso.

Milan Skriniar has been Inter’s rock at the back for a number of seasons. However, the Slovakian is now out of the picture.

Skriniar is a forgotten man after he had to undergo back surgery last month. This came amid the context of the former Sampdoria defender turning down a contract extension offer from Inter. Skriniar is set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Without Skriniar’s quality in the back three, many expected Inter would have trouble defending.

However, this has been anything but the case.

Fabio Capello Gives Credit To Unsing Defensive Heroes For Inter Milan

Fabio Capello attributes this total defensive solidity to the likes of Darmian, Bastoni, and the hero against AC Milan Acerbi.

Asked who he feels have shone particularly in the Champions League, the former coach answered that “For me it’s the three Italian defenders. They’ve given the tam security and character.”

“They could have had problems without Skriniar,” Capello noted. “But Inzaghi made a successful choice, and it’s given the team security.”

“Up front they’ve never had too many problems.”

Asked who he thinks Inter would rather face between Manchester City and Real Madrid, Capello argued that “I’d prefer to face City, because they don’t have an extraordinary defense. They give up space.”

“Real Madrid are difficult to come up against. Matches never end against them,” he added. “They can turn things around.”