Fabio Cannavaro says Juventus will miss Paul Pogba in the Champions League, whilst Napoli profited from the sale of Gonzalo Higuain.
The two clubs are the only remaining representatives for Italy in the elite European tournament, but the World Champion and current Tianjin Quanjian Coach has doubts about their odds of winning.
“Juve certainly reinforced themselves, they have a deep and complete squad,” said Cannavaro to the Gazzetta dello Sport. “And I think Higuain is stronger than Morata. But winning the Champions League is incredibly tough.
Fabio Cannavaro says Juventus will miss Paul Pogba in the Champions League, whilst Napoli profited from the sale of Gonzalo Higuain.
The two clubs are the only remaining representatives for Italy in the elite European tournament, but the World Champion and current Tianjin Quanjian Coach has doubts about their odds of winning.
“Juve certainly reinforced themselves, they have a deep and complete squad,” said Cannavaro to the Gazzetta dello Sport. “And I think Higuain is stronger than Morata. But winning the Champions League is incredibly tough.
“Juve have acquired the habit of winning in Italy, but in Europe things are different. And it's no easy task to replace Pogba, who guaranteed not just goals and technique but also a physicality that [Miralem] Pjanic doesn't have.
“As well as the strength of Higuain, I like the drive and personality provided by Dani Alves on the wing. But the team must be evaluated according to the new balance that [Coach Max] Allegri will manage to develop. It'll take a bit of time.
“Winning the groups stage is going to be important for two reasons. Firstly because it will set them up against a second-placed team in the Last 16, which presumably is not going to be one of the favourites. And secondly, because winning helps to win.
“Being in the first seed is a bit helpful. I hope they can avoid Cholo Simeone's Atletico Madrid, they're a team that really developed in the last few years.
“The other clubs are within range of the Bianconeri. It almost seems more important to avoid Tottenham Hotspur in the third pot, because the English are always competitive. And they're in a terrifice condition of form in this period.”
Napoli will be seeded in the second rank themselves, and Cannavaro discussed their prospects too.
“I think I'd rather they faced a big team from the first pot, perhaps a Spanish one. Playing matches of a great level would help [Coach Maurizio] Sarri's team develop. I hope they'll make it out of the groups, but it's not like they have to win the Champions.
“Signing [Arkadiusz] Milik was an excellent choice after the loss of Higuain, who is practically irreplaceable. I'm convinced that [Lorenzo] Insigne will keep developing, and that [Kalidou] Koulibaly and Jorginho will confirm themselves.
“Their task will be to keep a high level of competitiveness in both tournaments, as the Champions League drains a lot of energies.
“Napoli, alongside Roma, can challenge Juve in the Scudetto race. Sarri is their ace up the sleeve.”
Finally, the 42-year-old was asked whether the Neapolitans would be able to get over the departure of Higuain.
“It won't be easy. He was deeply loved and he had turned into the symbol of the race against Juve. Seeing him there, now, isn't easy for my people. But when you have a clause, what can you do?
“The truth is that everybody gained from this deal, with no exceptions. I'm a bit perplexed because I've seen [Ezequiel] Lavezzi, then [Edinson] Cavani and now Higuain all departing. If you sell your best players, it's tough to develop.”