Capello explains differences between Fabregas and Allegri: ‘Always pragmatic’

“To talk about Fabregas, we have to discuss what he has built,” Capello wrote when analysing the Spaniard in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column. 

“From the start, he had clear ideas about what he could do in Italy. He started from the youth teams, and as soon as he was put in charge of the first team, he brought his culture and way of thinking about football, and it’s showed. 

“He understands that in order to make an immediate jump, he had to strengthen the team with very precise ideas about the type of players he wanted: Good players who are strong technically more than anything. Also players with personality, those who want to be part of the group, who run and sacrifice themselves. 

“From the Serie B days, he has always had a group that follows him. It’s essential to have a clear idea of what it takes to win. His style of play starts from the front, not playing it backwards, but instead trying to always play forwards. 

“The Champions League will be a double step-up and Fabregas will face lots of difficulties. They’re no longer a surprise in the league, though. They’ve strengthened, have spent a lot of money and now need to impose themselves.”

On Sunday, Fabregas will come up against a modern-day Serie A great in Allegri, who left Milan after one disappointing season earlier this summer and is now in charge at Napoli. 

“Allegri on the other hand, starts again after just one year in Milan. I won’t discuss his full career as a coach, but he’s undeniably going through an interesting period,” Capello pondered.

“When he went to Milan, everyone thought he could take them back into the Champions League and have a strong league season. He did it for three quarters of the season, and then I don’t know what happened, but the team stopped playing for either him or for the shirt. That shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Capello continued: “However, throughout his career, Allegri has always been pragmatic, he knows how to score goals and knows how to get players winning with his mentality. He’s always tried to highlight the individual skill of certain players, individuality is always important for him. The players have to show what they’re capable of. 

“Now he’s gone to a team that already had a coach of a certain level in Conte, and now he has to bring his ideas to players that he only previously knew as opponents. He has to bring something out of them that helps them become the biggest challengers for Inter in the league, but more importantly, he has to develop a team that can do well in the Champions League.”