Former AC Milan & England Head Coach Criticises Inter Milan Corner Tactics After Late Atletico Madrid Winner: ‘Defending Zonally Can Be Dangerous’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan’s late defeat at Atletico Madrid has reignited the debate over defensive organisation on set pieces as Fabio Capello, former AC Milan and England coach, spoke about the risks of zonal marking.

Indeed, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, which has replaced Inzaghi’s man-to-man system under Cristian Chivu.

“There are different schools of thought: zonal marking, man-to-man, or a mixed system,” Capello said.

“In theory, zonal marking covers the entire area, while man-to-man is simpler, one-on-one. In practice, though, you must adapt to both your own team and the opposition, match by match.”

Capello: ‘Zonal Marking Cost Chivu & Inter Against Atletico’

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The former coach highlighted Atletico’s match-winner Gimenez as an example.

“If you know Gimenez is an exceptional header, defending fully zonally, as Chivu did, is dangerous. He reads where you are vulnerable and can attack the ball from a dead position with no opponents nearby. Look at the goal: Gimenez jumps freely and it’s hard to challenge him in the air.”

Capello explained his preferred approach.

“I used to position two or three players zonally while others marked key opponents man-to-man. The strongest opponent must be monitored before the corner is taken. At Real Madrid, for example, I had someone covering the near post, Hierro central, and our top man markers on the biggest aerial threats.”

He added: “If you don’t have a strong jumper to handle someone like Gimenez, you mark him personally. At Milan, facing Juventus and Bettega, our defender Anquilletti said immediately, ‘I’ll take him.’ Bettega never got a chance. You don’t need to reach the ball, just prevent the striker from getting a clean header.”

Capello’s comments underline the challenges Chivu faces in balancing modern tactical principles with practical defensive needs, particularly against elite European sides.

Inter’s recent set-piece lapses may force a rethink ahead of the busy December schedule.