LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Former Milan and Juventus coach Fabio Capello of Italy managing the Red Team during a charity match for the Slovenian flood victims on September 15, 2023 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In August 2023 major floods occurred in two-thirds of the Slovenian territory due to heavy rain. Deemed as the worst natural disaster of the country. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) (Bayern-Inter)
Fabio Capello (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Fabio Capello insists Italian football has a problem with ‘intensity’ as Serie A sides ‘struggle’ when they meet foreign clubs that ‘run and press.’

Capello analysed Juventus and Bologna defeats in the Champions League on Tuesday during Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show.

Juventus lost 1-0 at home against Bundesliga side Stuttgart, while Bologna suffered a 2-0 loss against Aston Villa.

Milan were the only Serie A side grabbing a victory on Tuesday as the Rossoneri beat Club Brugge 3-1 at San Siro. Still not enough for Capello, who identified an Italian football problem following Juventus and Bologna losses.

Capello identifies Italian football problem after Juventus and Bologna UCL defeats

TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 22: Vasilije Adzic and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus react after El Bilal Toure of VfB Stuttgart (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Juventus and VfB Stuttgart at Juventus Stadium on October 22, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Vasilije Adzic and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus react after El Bilal Toure of VfB Stuttgart (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Juventus and VfB Stuttgart at Juventus Stadium on October 22, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“It’s about intensity,” Capello said, as quoted by Tuttosport.

“Italian football is too slow. We start struggling when we find a team that runs a lot and presses. High ball possession is useless, and I’ve seen an analysis of Italian football that made me think about the Euros. We must do something more.

“We suffered two defeats,” continued the former coach.

“The Bologna one was predictable, even if they didn’t make the most of a few chances against Aston Villa. Juventus didn’t create anything. They were always passive and could not challenge the strength and agonism of the Germans.”

Capello also argued with Paolo Di Canio about Rafael Leao’s performance against Club Brugge. The Portuguese star was subbed off by Paulo Fonseca in the second half. One minute later, the Serie A giants took the lead with a goal from Tijjani Reijnders.

Capello won the Champions League in 1993-94 while in charge of Milan.

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ByLorenzo Bettoni

Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.

4 thought on “Capello identifies Italian football problem after Juventus and Bologna UCL defeats”
  1. Omg. Two games and they make these observations. It is so uninteresting following this sport, it’s as if the people who speak for it lack any sort of intellect whatsoever.

  2. Capella, is right. The truth is uncomfortable for those who do NOT want to hear or acknowledge it.

  3. He is right and I have said this for years. They need to adapt. Atalanta played differently and pressed hard and this won Europa League last year, smashing Liverpool and Leverkusen on the way

  4. He is right, despite having a boring play style himself.

    Motta should be given all the time he needs though, you can tell he’s trying different things.

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