Ex AC Milan & England Coach Reveals Why Derby d’Italia Serie A Clash More Important For Juventus Than Inter Milan | OneFootball

Former Milan and England head coach Fabio Capello has said Saturday’s Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter is a “important match for both teams but especially for the Old Lady.”

Speaking in his column in today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, via FcInterNews, Capello called the match “a test to understand if this Juventus team are ready to fight for the Scudetto.”

However, the former coach was full of praise for Inter.

He started by praising the club for signing “a player I really like” in Swiss defender Manuel Akanji.

Capello argued “Inter have managed to strengthen a team that already knew how to play its part very well defensively”.

Akanji joined Inter on deadline day from Manchester City on a season-long loan.

The deal includes a buy option that becomes an obligation under certain conditions.

Juventus vs Inter – Fabio Capello: ‘Calhanoglu essential; Inter’s issue is psychological’

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal. during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg. Match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Capello continued his assessment on Inter by discussing the importance of Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

Calhanoglu was linked away from the Nerazzurri in the summer, with a potential move to Turkish Super Lig sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce touted by journalists.

However, the experienced centre-mid stayed in Lombardy.

Capello argues that “the most important thing for the Nerazzurri is to recover their spirit in midfield, especially Calhanoglu.”

Capello watched Calhanoglu in Turkey’s dismal display against Spain in the international break.

He learned “he is a player who needs to recover in terms of mentality, spirit and pace of play.”

The Turkish midfielder is not the only Inter player who Capello believes needs to recover psychologically.

“On a collective level, the team must absolutely rediscover its spirit” he said.

Capello felt “the right determination was lost in the Champions League final in May.”

Inter suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to PSG in that final and head coach Simone Inzaghi left shortly after.

Capello says that new head coach Cristian Chivu “will have to work on this aspect, especially because the team is still strong and has everything it needs.”