According to reports, the legendary Italian coach said about this crucial match: “Flick’s team has extraordinary quality, outstanding players, and plays a less Spanish style than before. This German coach prefers vertical play and fast counterattacks over possession at any cost and demands high pressure from his players. When Barcelona loses the ball, they immediately attack to recover it. This is their strength, but interestingly, it is also their biggest weakness.”

Capello continued: “The key is to bypass Barcelona’s pressing line. If you do that, spaces open up, and Lautaro and Thuram must exploit these spaces. Additionally, preventing Barcelona’s quick ball recovery limits the danger posed by their three attacking stars: Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha. Inter also has a weapon that can hurt Barcelona: set-pieces.”

About Barcelona’s attack, Capello said: “Stopping it requires extreme focus and precision. But if Inter managed to stop Messi 15 years ago, they can also contain Yamal today. I read some bold comparisons about Lamine Yamal. He is a promising talent with a chance to win the Ballon d’Or, and they say he is very humble, but Leo was unique at 16, and I haven’t seen that in Yamal.”

Finally, Capello sees the return leg at San Siro as an advantage for Inter: “I think Inzaghi’s team will enter the match with better focus and mental calm after the first leg away. Then, they can benefit from the fans’ support in the decisive 90 minutes at San Siro.”