Fabio Capello has given his ideas after Friday’s , has defined why Inter face the largest ‘danger’ towards Bodo/Glimt, and has defined why Juventus’s conflict towards Galatasaray is simply as ‘difficult’ as Atalanta’s tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Three Italian sides certified for the Champions League play-off spherical after the conclusion of the league section earlier this week.
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Inter completed highest of the bench in tenth place, adopted by Juventus in thirteenth and Atalanta in fifteenth. Napoli have been crushed 3-2 at dwelling towards Chelsea on Wednesday night time and have been subsequently eradicated in thirtieth place.
Friday’s knock-out spherical draw has seen Inter tied towards Bodo/Glimt, Juventus towards Galatasaray and Atalanta towards Borussia Dortmund in two-legged play-off matches that can happen within the midweek slots of February 17/18 and February 24/25.
Capello identifies ‘the worst factor that might occur to Inter’
Fabio Capello (Picture by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Pictures)
On Paper, Capello believes that Inter have the best opponents, however a visit to the arctic circle to face Bodo/Glimt on a synthetic pitch is just not with out its issues, as Manchester Metropolis have just lately found.
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“Their win towards Atletico Madrid positively counts for one thing, however the recreation they received the earlier week towards Manchester Metropolis is much more important,” Capello mentioned in an interview with “Clearly, Bodo step up after they’re going through a stronger crew.”
He continued: “Enjoying on the factitious pitch isn’t simple. The ball bounces in another way, the stability is totally different, and this facet counts for lots. Temperatures ought to enhance for the play-offs, however the chilly shouldn’t be an excuse.
“The error could be to assume ‘we’re fortunate to have gotten a beneficial draw’, to underestimate the opponent. That will be the worst factor that might occur to Inter.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JANUARY 28: FC Internazionale Milano gamers pose for a crew photograph previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD8 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Internazionale Milano at BVB Stadion Dortmund on January 28, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Picture by Stuart Franklin/Getty Pictures)
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“The synthetic pitch is an unpleasant beast, however the distinction in ranges between the 2 groups is so important, that if taken significantly, there shouldn’t be any main considerations. It shouldn’t be the identical as Metropolis, who needed to go there for a (one-off) away journey.
If Inter have been to get previous Bodo/Glimt, they might then be met by both Sporting CP or Manchester Metropolis within the spherical of 16.
“There’s a giant distinction between one chance and the opposite, particularly if Metropolis get well a few of their gamers as a result of they’ve a number of them out in the intervening time,” Capello mentioned.
Capello on Juventus and Galatasaray: ‘Boiling environment’
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Khephren Thuram of Juventus greets teammate Pierre Kalulu following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Pictures)
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Turning his consideration to Juventus, who should go to Istanbul of their tie towards Galatasaray, Capello mentioned: “It’s a boiling environment there. They’ve nice help and a number of self-discipline, Galatasaray rework when they’re at dwelling.
“They’ll must play an actual recreation within the first leg. There are outdated acquaintances in Osimhen and Icardi, however I see it as a troublesome away recreation due to the way in which the environment spurs the crew on.”
Juventus haven’t reached the Champions League spherical of 16 for the final 4 years, however Capello believes this isn’t a motive for the Bianconeri gamers to develop into nervous.
“Their legs received’t shake. The alternative if something. The truth that it is a troublesome recreation will drive the gamers to be extra centered and decided. I see it as an even bigger danger for Inter, the opportunity of underestimating the event.
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Capello on Atalanta and Dortmund: ‘Yellow wall not as highly effective as Galatasaray’s’
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giacomo Raspdori of Atalanta celebrates scoring his crew’s third aim with teammate Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta throughout the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Atalanta have been handed a tough draw towards Borussia Dortmund.
“It’s not a very simple route,” Capello agreed. “BVB have been simply crushed at dwelling by Inter and due to this fact they may have a want for revenge, to proceed their journey.
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“We’ve seen that Atalanta have harmful high quality in assault, however Palladino must pay extra consideration within the defensive section. The well-known Yellow Wall is just not fairly as highly effective as Galatasaray’s, although.”
When requested if Atalanta or Juventus have the more durable tie, Capello mentioned: “I see the primary leg in Istanbul as being difficult, however usually, it’s Atalanta who’ve essentially the most troublesome opponent.”