Fabio Capello believes Internazionale’s only remaining transfer-market need is another centre-back, while warning that Como were carried away by their 9-1 Champions League defeat at San Siro.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former manager said Internazionale would be difficult to improve because of the quality of their current squad, but identified central defence as the one area requiring reinforcement.
“It’s hard for this team to become more perfect,” Capello said. “As long as they want to play, they can play very well. But if I had to say what’s missing, I’d say they need one more centre-back to make the defence more solid.”
Alessandro Bastoni has been used in that role, although Capello believes the Italy international’s strengths are more evident in possession than defensively.
“Bastoni is a temporary solution in that position,” he said.
“He’s excellent with the ball at his feet, but a bit weaker defensively. That’s why I said Cristian Chivu still needs a centre-back.”
Capello does not see the attack or midfield as areas that require similar investment. He also suggested Internazionale’s next significant addition could come from within the squad, with Hakan Calhanoglu expected to sign a contract extension.
“The attack is strong enough, and so is the midfield,” he said. “In fact, I think the next signing might be Calhanoglu, and it will be the same once he signs his contract extension. So far, we haven’t seen the Calhanoglu we’re used to.”
Capello criticises Como’s approach
Capello also assessed Como’s performance after their heavy 9-1 defeat by Internazionale in the Champions League.
He said the result had affected the way Como approached the match, with the side arriving at San Siro believing they could impose themselves as they regularly do in domestic play.
“That 9-1 Champions League match went to their heads,” Capello said. “They went to San Siro thinking they could dominate the game, as they often do on the playing field.”
In Capello’s view, the experience should serve primarily as a lesson for Como’s players rather than their manager, Cesc Fabregas.
“I think that was more of a lesson for the players, not the coach, because Fabregas already understood everything,” he added.
Capello described the approach as a setback but maintained that Como remain among the teams capable of challenging for significant targets.
“That was a misstep, but they are still at the top, and I always count them among the teams that will continue to cause trouble and fight for important goals,” he said. “Then in January, we’ll see…”
