Champions League: Capello Backs Inter, Arsenal & City, But Questions Guardiola's Future
Former England manager Fabio Capello has tipped Inter Milan, Arsenal and Manchester City as Real Madrid's biggest threats in the upcoming Champions League campaign, but has cast doubt on Pep Guardiola's future at the Etihad.
Speaking in an interview with Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello highlighted the strength of Real Madrid, who he believes are favourites to lift the trophy. However, he warned that several other teams are poised to challenge for the coveted title.
"Manchester City will be a major contender," Capello said. "There are whispers that Guardiola might depart at the end of the season, which could make the team even more determined to succeed. Guardiola will want to leave a lasting legacy."
The Italian tactician highlighted City's wealth of experience, their unwavering ambition, and the continued development of star striker Erling Haaland.
"Inter have the potential to compete on all fronts," he continued. "They have a deep squad and a strong mentality. Their triumph in Istanbul last season and their Scudetto success prove their capabilities. They can go all the way."
Capello also showed faith in Arsenal's ability to challenge for European glory. "Arsenal proved they could compete with Manchester City in the Premier League. They are capable of winning both the Premier League and the Champions League."
He remained cautious about the new format of the Champions League, stating it was too early to judge its effectiveness. "It's new for everyone, so it's hard to judge," he said. "Let's see. It doesn't seem to allow teams to make big calculations."
Despite Kylian Mbappé's move to Real Madrid, Capello is confident PSG can still achieve success in the competition. "PSG have lost Mbappé, but they have their own style, so they can still reach excellent results."
However, he expressed concerns about Bayern Munich's performance, suggesting they may not be as formidable as in previous years. "Bayern don't convince me entirely," he said. "They look a bit disjointed. Perhaps [new manager] Vincent Kompany will succeed where others have failed. The season has just started. There are new coaches and new players who havenât yet played."
Capello also tipped Bayer Leverkusen as the most dangerous team in the Bundesliga, highlighting their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
The Champions League draw will take place today at 18:00 CET (16:00 GMT).
