Capello: Inter still Serie A favourite but ‘it’s a pity’ Calafiori won’t join Juventus | OneFootball

Ex-coach Fabio Capello feels Inter will still be the Serie A title favourite in 2024/25 and insists Riccardo Calafiori would have suited Thiago Motta’s Juventus well: ‘It’s a pity.’

The Serie A 2024/25 fixture list was unveiled on Thursday and Capello previewed the upcoming season in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Inter became Serie A champions for the 20th time in history last season, and Capello believes the Nerazzurri are still favourites for 2024/25.

“Simone Inzaghi is in pole position because Inter are strong and have added two strong players like Taremi and Zielinski,” said the ex-coach.

“Contrary to Milan and Juventus, they start again with the same coach. The only problem for the Nerazzurri is that they may think they are too good, given that they dominated last season.”

Capello: Inter still Serie A favourite but ‘it’s a pity’ Calafiori won’t join Juventus

How about Juventus?

“Thiago Motta is doing a revolution and Giuntoli also seems very determined,” noted Capello.

“I am curious about Thuram. I coached his father, Lilian, and he spoke very highly of his younger son. It’s a pity for Calafiori; he has a great personality and would have suited Motta well.”

The Italy international is expected to join Arsenal for circa €53m. Juventus were among the clubs interested but could not match the Gunners’ bid.

“I expect to see Yildiz become a starter after the Euros,” continued Capello.

“The start of the transfer window is encouraging, but we’ll have to see if the Bianconeri can really strengthen the team. Right now, Inter are still stronger. Ideas may change, but Juventus still expect results, and the same is true for the Milanese sides.”

Milan will start the pre-season next week and they have also picked a new coach, the Portuguese Paulo Fonseca.

“It’s strange to see the Rossoneri without Italians in the starting XI. Milan must start again from Maignan, Theo, and Leao,” said the ex-Rossoneri boss.

“They have a good base, but they need a strong centre forward to fight for the Scudetto with Inter.”

Joshua Zirkzee and Alvaro Morata are among the Diavoli’s options. Who would Capello get?

“Zirkzee because he is young and he can do everything. It’s strange to see him always on the bench at the Euros.”

Likewise, Romelu Lukaku has been linked with Milan, but Napoli are also interested.

“He would do well at Milan and Napoli, if they sell Osimhen,” argued Capello.

“The big coup for De Laurentiis is Conte, the most winning coach among the 20 in Serie A. Napoli are an ambitious place but I’ll wait for the end of the transfer window to understand their role. Kvara can shift the balance.”

Which emerging player from EURO 2024 would Capello sign?

“The Turkish Yilmaz but I hope Italian coaches have learned the biggest lesson from Euro 2024. More vertical passes and fewer sterile ball possession.”