Capello outlines Allegri and Conte’s biggest strengths and differences ahead of Milan-Napol

Fabio Capello believes that AC Milan versus Napoli on Sunday is above all the battle of the two best coaches in Serie A.

The game between the Rossoneri and the Partenopei at San Siro this weekend promises to be one that sets the tone early in the season. Napoli have taken 12 points from a possible 12 to begin their title defence in the best way, but Milan are on a three-game winning run and have climbed.

A lot of attention is being paid to Allegri and Conte, the coaches of the two teams. Between them they are the most successful active coaches in terms of winning Scudetti, so could there be a duel between the two in 2025-26 as well?

Capello spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published this morning and he previewed the big game in detail, focusing above all on the two managers that will stand in the dugout.

On Sunday, it’s Milan-Napoli…

“Max versus Antonio, the two best coaches in Italy today: it’ll be a super match. Allegri has won more league titles than anyone else in the current Serie A, while Conte even managed to win the Premier League. I’ve always been taught that it’s the best players who win, so…”

What is their strong point?

“Having clear ideas. Both Conte and Allegri always have their teams in control, even if they don’t have fixed formations. Both know how to be flexible, adapting to the material at hand, without tactical prejudices like football Talibans.

“They are exceptional at organising and recognising players, even when they have to buy players on the market.”

Max did it with Rabiot recently at Milan…

“And he’s turned things around. Rabiot is the player who’s impressed me the most in these first few games: angry, determined, decisive. I’ve seen him even better than he was at Juventus. And with a Rabiot like that, everything is easier even for a professor like Modric.”

Napoli, despite having won the Scudetto, also added a lot in the summer…

Conte had certainly already established some rules, but De Bruyne’s arrival and Lukaku’s injury forced the coach to reshape the team. For example, with the Belgian centre-forward, they looked more for the lay-off, the ball to his body to let his team-mates move forward, while with Hojlund, they logically go deeper.

“It will be crucial, however, to be able to make De Bruyne increasingly comfortable, the man who can help you make the leap in quality, even in the Champions League, where Napoli must play a leading role.”

Conte is criticised for never having managed to shine in the Champions League…

“I don’t think there’s a real reason. Sometimes it just happens that way. History tells us that Allegri reached the final twice with Juve, but it must also be said that the second time he had a very, very strong team.”

Photos by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Max seems to have quickly given a style to Milan too…

“True. On the one hand, Allegri has brought balance, because now when the Rossoneri lose possession, you no longer see a split team, with the opposition counterattacking in open spaces. It’s no coincidence that they’ve kept a clean sheet in five of their six games this season.

“On the other hand, they have quality players capable of controlling possession both horizontally and vertically, both conservatively – when they want to control the game – and offensively, when there’s the need and the opportunity to hurt the opponent.”

And all this without Leao, who is now ready to return…

“I read he’s expected to be on the bench on Sunday night, then come on during the match. We’ll see how he handles it. A focused and eager Leao makes the difference: Allegri and all his teammates have to be good at involving him, otherwise you could get the opposite effect.”

With Nkunku and Leao, will Milan have a superior bench to Napoli?

“Well, Max’s is definitely not in bad shape. So far, whoever’s come on has always done well. But every game is different; we’ll only find out on Sunday.”

How do you see Milan-Napoli going?

“I’ll be at the stadium. I’m curious to see if Napoli can keep up the pace, which hasn’t always happened in these early stages. Also because Milan seems to be in good shape.”

Let’s go back to Allegri and Conte: what’s the big difference between the two?

“The way they communicate externally. Both have strong personalities and can always be very direct, but Max is more corporate and composed, while Antonio tends to complain more, even pointing the finger at the company.”