Capello gives verdict on Champions League race: ‘Como will miss Nico Paz, Modric could bring Milan serenity’ | OneFootball

Fabio Capello has delivered his verdict on the four-way Champions League race heading into the final day of the Serie A season, backing Roma as the side in the best shape while warning that Como will feel the absence of the injured Nico Paz acutely.

The former Milan and England coach spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport, via MilanNews, ahead of a dramatic evening in which Milan, Roma, Como and Juventus all go into their final fixtures with the top four still undecided, and with only two of the quartet guaranteed to finish there.

Fabio Capello (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Capello backs Roma and warns Juventus they need collective response not individual heroics

On Roma, Capello was glowing. “Roma are in very good shape,” he said. “They have done some important things recently, shown continuity of play and performance as a team. They have also recovered all their players, for example Dybala, which means Gasperini only has to get his selections right.”

Milan’s prospects, Capello suggested, hinge on the collective rather than on the return of any single player.

“The return of Modric can give a little serenity to the squad,” he said. “But you should not think that if he plays then everything is already resolved. Everyone must give more, as they have done in certain moments in recent matches. But from the first minute.”

Como’s challenge without their talisman was also addressed.

“Como must keep winning, but without Paz it is a fine team that is missing his genius,” Capello said. “He is the man who has always made the difference, both with the goals he has managed to score and with his illuminating passes.”

On Juventus, who face the Turin derby, Capello stressed the need for a collective response.

“Here we must not name one player alone, it is not enough,” he said. “It is the team that must find itself again, forget the last defeat, win and hope the results at the end of the evening are favourable.”