Capello warns Milan about defence problem and ‘crucial’ Juventus star | OneFootball

Fabio Capello feels Milan must stop with ‘exasperated offside’ in their next Serie A game against Dusan Vlahovic’s Juventus and insists Rossoneri defenders inside the box should focus on opponents rather than the ball.

Milan and Juventus meet at San Siro after the international break.

It will be played on November 23 at 18:00 CET, 16:00 GMT.

Capello, a former Milan and Juventus coach, previewed the upcoming league meeting in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former Italian tactician feels Juventus star Vlahovic will be vital in next week’s big Serie A match.

Capello warns Milan about defence problem and ‘crucial’ Juventus star

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus scores a penalty goal during the UEFA Champions League league phase match between Lille OSC and Juventus FC, in Lille, France, 05 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

“Dusan moves really well, and, to some extent, he reminds me of David Trezeguet,” said Capello.

“He must improve in the link-up play. Ibrahimovic’s movements are like the manual of a top striker. Vlahovic will be one of the keys in Milan-Juventus.

“If Milan continue with exasperated offside, Vlahovic will be crucial by attacking the space,” warned Capello.

“A big part of Milan-Juventus will depend on this.”

The 78-year-old believes the Rossoneri will have more pressure at San Siro next week.

“It counts more for Milan, but those who lose may miss the last train for the Scudetto,” he said.

“Juventus are still unbeaten, and if they win in San Siro, they will send a strong signal to the league. The gap between the top sides is reduced, but Inter remain the potential favourite because of the team’s strength and experience.”

Paulo Fonseca’s Milan have lacked consistency this term, including recently, when they beat Real Madrid 3-1 at the Bernabeu before being held to a 3-3 away draw at Cagliari.

Capello thinks Diavoli defenders are the main ones responsible for the team’s inconsistent results.

“With me, they’d be more focused,” he argued.

“Milan defenders seem to focus too much on the ball rather than the opponents. As I always say, inside the box, the ball doesn’t go in if a player isn’t ready to tap in.”

When asked which players he’d sign if he was still a coach, he replied: “Reijnders and Koopmeiners. Not because they are Dutch but because they know how to play football and are complete in the two phases.”

Lastly, he was asked to pick one between Rafael Leao and Francisco Conceiçao, but the reply was pretty clever: “Why should I choose? One on the left and one on the right.

“They are both Portuguese, but they are very different. The Juventus player is faster and always tricky. Leao has great physicality, but for the moment, he has only fulfilled 75% of his potential. He lacks consistency. In the last two games, he seemed more free mentally. Let’s see if he’ll confirm it against Juventus. Thiago Motta will have to be careful.”