Capello fears facing Blues and Real
Capello, whose team comfortably beat Rapid Vienna 3-1 on Wednesday to finish top of Group A, fears a clash with former club Real or the runaway Premiership leaders when the draw for the next round is made next Friday December 16.
“It is great to have finished first because we will avoid a clash with powerful teams,” said Capello.
But Juve are aware that finishing in the top spot doesn’t always guarantee the easiest of rivals, as was seen last season when they finished top of their group, only to face eventual champions Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
“There are other dangerous teams that have finished second and it would be better not to meet powerful sides like Chelsea or Real in the next round,” said Capello.
The former Real boss was also stunned to see Manchester United eliminated from European competition following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Benfica.
Capello, who is a friend and admirer of Alex Ferguson, said: “It is incredible that Manchester United haven’t even qualified for the UEFA Cup.”
Meanwhile AC Milan and Internazionale will be playing for more than bragging rights in this weekend’s top Serie A game, with the derby result also having serious repercussions in the race for the Scudetto.
Both teams go into Sunday’s encounter full of confidence after their midweek Champions League results allowed them to claim the top spot in their respective groups.
Milan bounced back from last weekend’s defeat at Chievo, which left them eight points behind Serie A leaders Juventus, with a 3-1 triumph against Schalke courtesy of Brazilian international Kaka.
“Now that we have beaten Schalke, I am certain that we can win the derby,” said Kaka, who struck twice on Tuesday.
Milan know only a win will do against the Nerazzurri, who drew 1-1 at Rangers on Wednesday but are just two points behind the Rossoneri in the league.
“If we win we will surpass Milan in the standings but the tournament is still very long,” said Inter coach Roberto Mancini.
A draw at the San Siro would only benefit Juve and Fiorentina, with Fabio Capello’s league leaders looking to extend their advantage over both Milan outfits when they take on struggling Cagliari at the Delle Alpi Stadium.
The Bianconeri, who have only lost two encounters out of 20 this campaign, go into the clash inspired by their midweek 3-1 triumph at Rapid Vienna which saw them clinch top spot in Champions League Group A.
All eyes will be on an in-form Alessandro Del Piero, who is only one goal away from becoming Juve’s all-time leading goalscorer, having equalled the record 182 goals set by Bianconero legend Giampiero Boniperti on Wednesday night.
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