Former Italian coach Fabio Capello feels that Inter are the best-equipped Serie A team in the Champions League and predicts that Atalanta will be the underdogs in 2024-25.
The Champions League group stage draw will occur next week and Capello has shared his view on the five Serie A clubs involved in the 2024-25 edition during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Compared to the past, starting well and getting a good placement will be crucial because otherwise, the path will get much more complicated with seeded teams in the knock-out phase,” said the ex-Milan boss.
“It’s natural to say that Italy champions Inter are our best-equipped team. They have the qualities and certainties they earned in the past. Of course, they must increase the intensity after the game against Genoa, but I am convinced we will soon see the same version as in the last two years. The 2023 Champions League Final loss in Istanbul must motivate them to fight until the end.”
Bookmakers also see the Nerazzurri as the best-placed Serie A club in the Champions League but four more Italian clubs are involved and fans are using £10 no deposit bonus to make their predictions for the upcoming European campaign.
Milan had reached the Champions League semis in 2023 but were eliminated in the group stage last term.
“They are becoming even more European with their new signings, especially in terms of physicality and mentality,” noted Capello.
“What I expect from the Rossoneri and Fonseca is to grow in midfield. Milan were not balanced against Torino, but I am sure that the Portuguese coach has already understood how to fix things, also thanks to new signings.”
Juventus return to Europe’s elite competition after a one-season ban.
“There’s work in progress, as we saw in the opening 25 minutes against Como. After that, I saw interesting things,” said Capello, an ex-Juventus coach.
“I like that Motta relies on young players and has clear ideas. I’d like to see Vlahovic score more than 20 goals. At the Euros, he didn’t seem like a top-class striker, and now he must prove to be as such, at least in Turin.”
Atalanta have just confirmed Raoul Bellanova as their eighth summer signing and Capello has high expectations.
“They can be the underdogs. It’s a team that not even top European clubs want to meet because they are tricky,” he said.
“They have a strong mentality, which they have kept through the summer. However, transfers may have an impact. If Koopmeiners and Lookman leave after injuries to Scamacca and Scalvini, it would be tough for Gasperini.”
Lookman was in talks with PSG last week and missed the opening Serie A game of the season against Lecce, but he has now resumed training with La Dea.
Last but not least is Bologna, who will play in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in over 60 years.
“It’s a big step, especially after selling Zirkzee and Calafiori, plus Motta. However, I trust Sartori and Italian did well in Europe with Fiorentina,” concluded Capello.