JUST IN: FABIO CAPELLO OFFICIALLY LABELS SERIE A A FIVE-HORSE RACE FOR 2026
Fabio Capello claims the 2026 Scudetto is wide open with only 4 points separating Inter, Milan, Napoli, Roma, and Juve.
Fabio Capello thinks the Serie A title is wide open, with Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli, and Roma all in the running. He also thinks they all need to get better to win the Scudetto in 2026.
The ex-coach for Milan, Roma, Juventus, and England shared his thoughts on each team's chances in an interview.
With Christmas coming, the top of the Serie A table is tight, with only four points separating the top five. Inter's got 33 points, Milan 32, Napoli 31, Roma 30, and Juventus 29—pretty exciting for fans!
Capello said he doesn't see anyone pulling away right now.
When asked if this five-way race could last, Capello said, Why not? No one's running away with it. They all win some, lose some. Milan and Roma were ahead, but now Inter and Napoli are back, and Juve is making a comeback.
So, does he think Juventus can win?
They're not out of it. They could win their next few games and get 12 points, he said.
About Spalletti, Capello noted, He’s found the players that fit. He’s brought back the hunger and push that was missing. And Juve is one of the few Italian teams that can take players on and make the other team scramble. Guys like Yildiz, Conceicao, and Zhegrova often cause problems for opponents.”
Does he think Juventus is a real title contender?
“Juve is right there; they could close the gap, and they still have head-to-head matches to play,” he said.
Talking about Inter, Capello said, Chivu's been playing it safe so far. I think he's seeing that some players aren't in top shape, so he's holding back on trying new things. But they're in first place.
And about Milan, he added, Milan is losing points and letting in goals; that's not like Allegri. They need to be solid on defence. Mistakes have cost them too many points. They play very offensively, but they have problems in the back.
Milan is supposedly trying to sign Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham to strengthen their attack. Does Capello think that's a good move in January?
That's a good question. It’s hard to play without a main striker. Fullkrug is an old-school striker, so the club must have talked about who would fit best. But it's not just about strikers; they're not playing in Europe and need to use that to their advantage.”
Capello agrees with many fans that Roma needs more attack to be considered a serious title contender: Without a main striker, Gasperini has also had lots of issues, he said.
It's tough. Against Juventus, there was no one up front to aim for. Roma played better in the first half, but they kept trying to attack through the middle when Juve had just put Bremer back in.
About the attackers Roma might sign this winter, Capello said, I really like Zirkzee; he knows how to play with his back to the goal and moves well. Raspadori, on the other hand, is more of a second striker. He fits in okay; he knows how to score, but he's not a main striker.
Lastly, on Napoli, fresh from their Supercoppa Italiana win in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Capello said, Napoli has great players and a winning coach in Conte.
“Now Lukaku and some of the injured guys are back, and winning the Supercoppa will be huge for the team's confidence. It’s a mental boost that could help them come back strong in the league.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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