Fabio Capello, one of the personalities that appeared on the 25th anniversary of the Laureus Awards held on Monday in Madrid, continues to speak with the same passion as always of football despite his 78 years. It is an authorized voice to talk about Real Madrid and what is now happening now its former player and friend Carlo Ancelotti. As a white technician, he does not bite his tongue when analyzing the problems of the White Template, the Mbappé season or the Cup final that will measure Barça de Flick on Saturday in Seville, to which he also finds some weak point.
-Brasil bets on a foreign technician like Ancelotti, what do you think?
-Ancelotti is the most important coach in the world. The coach who has won more titles of everything and the number 1 absolute. Up to Luis Enrique, who is doing a fantastic job. The World Cup can be the last important competition for him and could end up winning titles with Brazil. I don't know what Brazilians say, if they like a foreigner or they don't want it. But Carlo has been my player, I know him very well and is very intelligent.
-I would ask him for Hansi Flick's work at Barça, has he surprised him?
-He has done a great job as Barça coach, because he plays differently. It has a different style, presses a lot and attacks a lot, but defends badly. Although then he recovers in the games and it is a joy to see him.
-Avishing Ancelotti, how do you see the criticisms you are having these days and how do you value the Real Madrid game?
-I know the house and know the press of Spain. And when they decide that they don't like it, they don't like it. The titles you have won are never enough. But I think you can't say what they say about Carlo. Carlo tries to be the best and this year has had difficulties because the team has no balance. He lacked a lot in defense, with Carvajal's injury, an important player, on the right wing he has always had problems this year. And Kroos has also gone and does not have a balancer in the center of the field.
-He commented that Madrid has been unbalanced this year for injuries. Carlo has said in several games that he needed the commitment and solidarity of the players. Have you noticed that this solidarity or collective commitment could be missing?
-Yes, Carlo says it, I don't know. This is something that he can only say because he knows the costumes. I do not know the costumes, but you always have to hear what Carlos says because he does not cheat. The truth always says. And if he says, this is the truth of what happens to Real Madrid. Everyone when the Champions League season started, the first on television, gave him a favorite number 1. It is a team, but that happens many times.
-What do you think of the first Mbappé season in Madrid?
-The first part with difficulties because he had to understand the place where he has come to play. The Madrid shirt is the Madrid shirt and weighs a lot. We have spent two months without seeing the Mbappé we expected, but then it has begun to mark. Real Madrid's problem is that he does not have a center forward and has to play Vinícius and he together, when the two like the band, which is where they are better.
-Coking the teams to Barça and Madrid, will he dare to make a prediction for the final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday?
-The fight will be tremendous. But Real Madrid needs to win because at this time he is second in the League and has lost the Champions. That's why I think it will be a fundamental game for Real Madrid this season. You have to win the Copa del Rey.
-All to the semifinals of Champions, what do you think of Luis Enrique's PSG?
-The PSG level is a very high level. They found very good players and the money was spent on players than a crack level, but they are all very good. I think Luis Enrique has made a radical change in the PSG because he has always tried to win titles such as the Champions League with great players such as Mbappé, Messi and others. Now he has a team that plays as a team and does not expect the genius play. That's why I think Luis Enrique has done a unique job. It is a team that works together, that suffers, that runs and has a midfield that for me is the best of the Champions League next to the Inter.
-Is it easier to work with a team without cracks?
-It is easier for a coach to have a team that does not have cracks. He has high -level players, but not cracks. It depends on crack intelligence, which can help you. It can help you, but the most important thing is to have figures in the team, which are not cracks and to which you can tell 'you have to work like us and not stay there waiting for you to get the good play'.
-What kind of players do they like Capello?
-I like Portuguese midfielders of the PSG.
-However, you give Arsenal as a favorite against the PSG in the semifinal. Because? Where is the key?
-Because it has everything. It has quality, they are well placed in the field and also has a better physical condition than the PSG. I think that at this time Arsenal has something else. Not something mental, but quality and strength. Although it is true that the two have a good team spirit. But after seeing the matches he has played, I think Arsenal has a lot of personality. I have seen their games, I studied them and saw their position in the field. They work together, they play together. The level of its matches is high and I think it will be a very interesting game. But you have to wait. I think Arsenal will be better. And at the technical level he has English players, who have not always been noticed by their technical ability. But Saka and Rice also have it. He never played an English team so well.
-He did not do it?
-The City was different, because it is not English, it is Guardiola's style. A different style. I have seen Arsenal play very well, with quality and physical strength, in addition to a mentality that surprised me.
-How do you see the fight in Italy for the Scudetto between Inter and Naples? Have you seen the goal that defeated Inter against Bologna?
-The goal is a gift because the side is not covered well in Orsollini's goal, which is very good. But this is football. There is luck and still have a lot to do the two teams. But Naples, not having the Champions League, is the favorite, with Conte.
-And the year of Rome? Can you get into the Champions League?
-I think that what Ranieri is doing is fantastic, a unique job. How they run and how they play. They must be attentive to all, because it is recovering position to position. And the victory of Bologna yesterday against Inter has been for Rome an incentive to reach fourth place.
-Thanks, Fabio.
-The facto football is always a pleasure.
