Yahoo Sports Capello explains how Conceicao and Milan can combat the ‘best’ Inter under Inzaghi
AC Milan will go into tonight’s Supercoppa derby against Inter as underdogs, but Fabio Capello believes they should not be written off.
It will be the third time that Milan and Inter have faced each other in the Super Cup final, with the current record split at one win each. The Rossoneri came from behind to beat Juventus 2-1 to qualify, while the Nerazzurri ran out 2-0 victors over Atalanta in the other semi-final.
The Nerazzurri have won five games in a row without conceding a goal for the first time in over 17 years. That run includes a 5-0 win away at Verona and a 6-0 victory against fellow high-flyers Lazio, so it seems they have fully clicked again and start the game as favourites.
In the semi-final Simone Inzaghi got the better of Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta again, thanks to Dumfries’ brace. Capello wrote a column for La Gazzetta dello Sport which previews the big fixture in the Middle East and he gave his assessments on where each team are at going into it.
“The derby is always the derby and, if it also decides a trophy, we can only imagine the emotion of tonight’s challenge. For this reason, today more than ever, the prediction must be made with caution, even if the Inter that I saw against Atalanta in the semi-final seems to me above the level of all the other Italian teams, including Milan,” he said.
“I think that the current version is the best of the Nerazzurri since Simone Inzaghi took over the bench and the words of the coach himself after the match (‘The boys went beyond all expectations’) confirm this to me.
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“Of course, Thuram’s absence could be felt. And the weight on the shoulders of Lautaro Martinez will increase, perhaps the only one at Inter not having a brilliant moment, at least in terms of goals. The captain wasted the impossible against Atalanta, we all saw it, but in terms of performance he did his part, as always.
“And I keep repeating that as long as a striker has chances there is no need to worry. Today perhaps he will have to be more clinical, without the Frenchman as a support and against the fast Tomori, recovered by Conceiçao after the benches with Fonseca. But Inzaghi also has other arrows in his bow.
“Did you see the work in width of Dumfries and Dimarco in the semi-final? Problems for the opponents can also come from there, as well as from the insertions of the midfielders or the shots from outside by Calhanoglu and his teammates. So many solutions.
“However, I think that the real key to the final could be Inter’s pressing. Against Atalanta, they were determined, almost ferocious. While Milan suffered a lot from Juventus’ pressing in the first half. Now, if the Nerazzurri replicate the work without the ball of the semi, life will get complicated for the Rossoneri.
“What should Conceiçao do then? The Portuguese coach has been here so recently that it seems logical to me to still define his Milan as ‘experimental’. However, the second half with Juventus did give some useful indications. For example, Musah has recovered from his injury and is ready.
“From my point of view, the American could be the card to change the team, he is a player that I have liked practically every time I have seen him and, at the same time, Bennacer has not yet seemed to me to be at 100% of his form.
“I therefore expect Musah to start from the 1st minute, while Leao should be seen on the bench again. Rafa can be the extra weapon to be used during the match: for quality and speed he is a crazy addition, hoping he is well. Will it be enough to challenge this Inter for the trophy?
“As mentioned, the derby is always a game in itself, which often escapes the logic of all the other games. And for Milan, beating Juve in a comeback, in the new coach’s first time on the bench, is certainly an important injection of confidence. They needed it, after Fonseca’s dismissal.
“Against Inter, it will be another test for Conceiçao. To try to win over his team immediately, but also to get to know them quickly. Training is essential, but the game tells you even more about the players you have at your disposal. It is undeniable, however, that Inzaghi has many more certainties.
“His is a mature team, well-oiled, perfectly organised. And even growing, especially from a physical point of view. Today’s Inter is not the same one that lost (deservedly) the league derby, when we were still at the dawn of the season. So I don’t even know if Milan will be satisfied with repeating the excellent performance from September.
“But even then the prediction was still all on the Nerazzurri’s side, with Fonseca who was already in question and found the winning touch by fielding Morata and Abraham together. Because derbies are like that, ready to surprise us every time. Roma-Lazio last night also reminded us of that, didn’t they?”
