Fabio Capello remains convinced that Juventus are fully “in the race for everything” despite their recent draw with Lecce. The result, while disappointing in isolation, did little to harm the Bianconeri’s push for a top-four finish. Roma’s defeat against Atalanta on the same evening allowed Luciano Spalletti’s side to move back into fourth place, reigniting their Champions League hopes.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Juventus coach offered his assessment of the Serie A picture and of Spalletti’s impact on the team so far.
“They are still dangerous and in the race for everything, in my opinion,” Capello said. “The direct clashes will tighten the table, and looking at the recent matches, I’ve seen an excellent Juventus. They didn’t win because of an individual mistake that punished them, but I noticed a side playing with grit, speed, and quality. That’s exactly what people expect from Juventus at this point. The result against Lecce wasn’t ideal, but they’re on the right track — so watch out for Juventus.”
Transfer Needs
Capello also commented on what he sees as the team’s main weakness and where the transfer window could make the difference.
“Considering Juventus also need to compete in the Champions League, they need more strength up front,” he explained. “They’re missing a physically strong centre-forward, because by now, in terms of play, the players have already absorbed what Spalletti wants from them.”
Key Players
The veteran coach then highlighted some of the figures he considers crucial to Juventus’ Champions League push.
“For Juve, the key players are the wingers — Yildiz, Conceicao, and Zhegrova,” said Capello. “They’re all important for their ability to beat their man and make the difference one-on-one. But then, as always, when the crosses come in — whether it’s headers or shots — the one who gets into those spaces is McKennie. He’s there, but there isn’t a real striker.”
The Battle Between Juve and Roma
Asked to choose between Juventus and Roma for a Champions League spot, Capello acknowledged that both teams are still developing under new management.
“We’re talking about two new managers,” he said. “Spalletti took over Juventus mid-season and is now giving the team a clear identity, while Gasperini is trying to bring aggressiveness, humility, and determination to Roma — a mentality that’s hard to instil in the capital. Both are halfway through their missions. I think both would like some reinforcements from the market — they know exactly where to intervene.”
