Legendary former coach Fabio Capello feels that the Derby d’Italia will be “important” for Inter Milan but “vital” for Juventus.
The iconic former AC Milan, Real Madrid, and England coach gave his thoughts ahead of today’s Serie A showdown in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Matches between Inter and Juventus are always among the showpiece fixtures in Italian football.
The intense historical rivalry between the two teams is such that it hardly matters what the league table looks like or what trophies are on the line for it to be a fierce battle.
Moreover, when the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri meet, it often has the feel of a potential title-decider.
That is certainly the case this time around.
Inter and Juventus are two of the teams that look like real contenders for the Scudetto. Only Napoli sit above them in the Serie A table at the moment.
Fabio Capello: “Derby D’Italia Very Important For Inter, Absolutely Vital For Inter”
Inter are the reigning Italian champions. They won last season’s title in dominant fashion.
That has both given the Nerazzurri confidence that they can retain their crown – and piled the pressure on them to do so.
Juventus, on the other hand, have not won the Serie A title in half a decade after their dominant nine-season run came to an end in 2020.
But the Bianconeri have rebuilt comprehensively with a young team this season.
Former coach Capello notes that “It’s only the ninth matchday of the season.”
“But this match will already be very weighty,” he writes of the Derby d’Italia. “And it can paint a clearer picture of the Scudetto race.”
“For the Nerazzurri, it is very important,” Capello goes on. “But for the Bianconeri, it’s absolutely vital.”
Of Inter’s form so far this season, Capello suggests that “They concede more to the opposition this season.”
“But the quality of the players remains very high. And they’ve added even more in the transfer market.”
“I’m particularly thinking of Taremi in attack,” Capello writes.
“And then the starters, from Dimarco to Lautaro and Thuram, have the individual quality to decide the match at any moment.”
Capello argues that “Thiago Motta is write when he says Inter are dangerous on the counter.”
“They’re very quick to come out when their opponents attack them.”
“Juve doesn’t give the same impression right now,” Capello argues. “We’ll see if things have changed this evening.”