Ex AC Milan & Real Madrid Coach Argues Inter Milan ‘Drop Off’ Without Two Key Players | OneFootball

Fabio Capello feels that Inter Milan suffer a big drop-off without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and striker Marcus Thuram.

The former Real Madrid and England coach gave his thoughts in an interview in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan have been dealing with a number of injury problems in recent weeks.

In January, midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu missed a sequence of matches after the Supercoppa Italiana.

First, this was due to a minor thigh issue. Then, the Turkish international suffered a calf strain during his recovery process from that initial injury.

Calhanoglu did return at the start of February. However, there has been a real sense that he’s not been at his best.

The 31-year-old got a rest in this weekend’s Serie A win over Genoa.

Meanwhile, striker Marcus Thuram suffered a blow to his ankle during a Serie A win over Fiorentina earlier this month.

The Frenchman did come off the bench against Juventus in the following match. However, the feeling was that he was clearly not at his sharpest physically.

Capello: “Inter Milan Drop Off Without Hakan Calhanoglu & Marcus Thuram”

Legendary former AC Milan and Juventus coach Fabio Capello said that “Personally I’ve always considered Inzaghi the favourite for the title.”

“Because he has the strongest team in the league at his disposal.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 12: Fabio Capello during the “Golden Bench” award at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on November 12, 2018 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“However, against Genoa, Inter confirmed the impression from the alst few weeks. That they’re not particularly brilliant, either physically or in terms of their play in possession.”

Capello argued that Inter have looked “slow, predictable in possession, and less ferocious in pressuring and winning the ball back.”

“In fact, they suffered a lot from the dynamism of the Dossobly. And they also had a chance to go ahead through Ekuban just before Lautaro scored the match-winner from a corner.”

“Of course, the Nerazzurri also had some mitigating factors,” Capello added.

“Without Calhanoglu in midfield and Thuram, it’s normal to drop off a bit,” the coach said.