Former Real Madrid & AC Milan Head Coach Showers Italy & Inter Milan Starlet With Praise: ‘A True Player’ | OneFootball

Fabio Capello has added his voice to the growing chorus of praise for Pio Esposito, backing the Inter Milan and Italy starlet after an impressive cameo off the bench against Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoff.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Real Madrid and AC Milan coach was effusive in his assessment of the Nerazzurri starlet’s qualities.

“A true player,” Capello said simply.

“He knows how to hold the ball, play as a link, win headers.”

He also highlighted how Esposito’s profile differs from Italy’s other striking options, and why that makes him so valuable.

“Kean and Retegui are two similar types of striker, whereas Pio can complement either one of them.”

Capello Claims Italy Improved With Inter Starlet Pio Esposito On The Pitch

Capello went further, suggesting Italy visibly improved once Esposito entered the fray against Northern Ireland.

“We played better with him on the pitch,” he said, before crediting Kean’s contribution too. “Even if it was Kean who scored the second with a beautiful goal.”

The verdict from one of football’s most respected coaching minds carries considerable weight.

Esposito has now earned admirers at every level, at club level with Inter, and increasingly on the international stage with Italy.

At just 20, the best is almost certainly still to come.