Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello says Pep Guardiola’s change of system helped Manchester City win the Champions League last season and praises Carlo Ancelotti: ‘He relies on the players’ qualities.’
Capello previewed tonight’s Champions League games involving City and Real Madrid during Sky Sport Italia’s pre-match show on Tuesday evening.
The Merengues visit RB Leipzig without the injured Jude Bellingham tonight while defending champions City play against Copenhagen in Denmark.
Ancelotti has won the Champions League four times as a coach, more than any other manager and Capello explained why his compatriot is so special.
“Because he can convince some footballers to play out of position. Even if a player doesn’t perform at his best in a different role, being 90% convinced already makes the difference. Ancelotti is excellent at this,” said Capello.
“He doesn’t always use the same system, but he relies on the players’ quality.”
On the other hand, Guardiola has won the Champions League three times, including Manchester City’s first-ever triumph in the competition, which came last season in a Final against Inter.
“Pep, on the other hand, has been using the same system for a long time even if lately, he has evolved and this allowed him to win the Champions League,” argued Capello.
“In the past, he had never managed to win it [away from Barcelona] because he was not able to transmit that winning mentality he had at Barcelona. He failed to do it at Bayern. Now he has changed the system, and a defender, Stones, plays as a midfielder to give more defensive support.”
Lazio will be the first Serie A club to play in the Champions League Round of 16. The Biancocelesti will host Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.