Capello offers advice to ‘struggling’ Milan amid ‘dangerous’ top four race

Fabio Capello has shared his thoughts on the Champions League race, with just three games remaining of the season, and it’s not looking great for AC Milan. 

As a result of the defeat to Sassuolo, Milan are in a rather nervy position as far as Champions League qualification goes. Everything could fall apart in the last three games, despite looking so secure for a while, and that would be a massive failure.

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Tomorrow’s clash against Atalanta is thus of the utmost importance. A defeat there, combined with some wins for the top-four rivals, would really put the pressure on the Rossoneri. It’s something they might not be able to recover from either.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, the legendary manager Fabio Capello shared his thoughts on the games that remain and, more specifically, the top-four race. He echoed the thoughts of everyone: Milan are fragile right now and might not have what it takes.

First impression…

“The race for the Champions League is very interesting and hard-fought. Roma are making a great comeback, and they’re in better shape than anyone else, both physically and competitively. They have determination, desire, and quality. And in Malen, they’ve found the best player.”

The others?

“Milan are ahead, but they’re struggling the most: they’re not in top form, they don’t have the same quality they showed when they were close to Inter. They haven’t continued with the same pace, determination, and quality of play.

“Juve have recovered well under Spalletti, but now they’re probably missing a goalscorer like the one who gave Roma their spirit, who seem to have rediscovered the ease with which they score. They’re dangerous.”

After the goal, Vlahovic could return to the starting lineup….

“It’s true, he shows desire and commitment, but it depends on the coach: if he gets him back in shape, if he lets him play… Juve have a potential goalscorer at home. He has scored from free kicks, and every time he comes on he creates danger. Milan, on the other hand, are still looking for that striker.”

If you were Massimiliano Allegri, would you try with Santiago Gimenez?

“Pulisic has stopped, Leao has disappeared competitively: Allegri needs to work on these points, he’s still looking for solutions. At one point, Milan seemed calm, but the only one who realised he couldn’t stay calm was Allegri, who was always talking about the numbers needed to qualify.

“He had sensed the team’s pulse. As for Gimenez, I don’t know: coaches talk to the players, watch them in training, and make decisions to win. Then the player goes on the pitch and maybe disappoints, but decisions are always made after evaluating a thousand aspects.”

In this round, Milan will face Atalanta, and Juve will face Lecce. Roma and Como have easier matches: will the weekend be decisive?

“Milan will face a team that knows how to be dangerous: Atalanta play an attacking-minded football, but have been struggling to defend lately. Lecce have rediscovered their scoring potential and, after their win in Pisa, may show a very determined spirit. Como and Roma have much easier matches.”

Juventus will play first, followed by Como, Roma, and Milan. Who will be under pressure?

“It depends on your personality. Numbers definitely create pressure, because when you know you have to win, maybe you don’t play naturally, but instead with a bit of worry.”

Milan and Juve are looking for a winning formula…

“Milan need to find the back of the net again because they’re scoring sparingly. The same goes for Juve, and their defence hasn’t been at its best lately.”

Who should they cling to?

“Yildiz wasn’t feeling well in the last match, but he and Conceiçao have to beat their man and pass the ball to the attackers: that’s the key. At Milan, Leao has to play wide on the left, because that’s where he performs best: he’s not capable of playing with his back to goal.”