Capello picks top Serie A players from Champions League Round 1, backs Como for title challenge

Capello picks top Serie A players from Champions League Round 1, backs Como for title challenge Former coach Fabio Capello says Inter’s Andy Diouf and Como’s Assane Diao were the best Serie A players in the Champions League round 1 and feels Cesc Fabregas can challenge for the Scudetto. Como were the only Serie A club to secure a win in the Champions League Round 1, while Inter lost to Real Madrid, Napoli suffered a 1-0 home loss against Arsenal, and Roma grabbed a 1-1 away draw at Fenerbahce. “Inter are now playing almost instinctively, with confidence and focus,” Capello told Gazzetta. MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 20: Fabio Capello attends the Sporting Mixed Zone ahead of Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at Palacio De Cibeles on April 20, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus) The Nerazzurri return to action on Monday, hosting Udinese at San Siro. Despite the many absentees in the Bianconeri squad, Capello feels the Nerazzurri should not underestimate their next opponents. “Udinese will arrive at San Siro with several key absences, including Solet and Zaniolo, who make the difference,” he said. “But it would be a mistake to underestimate them. And then there’s Roma… Let’s also see what Gasp will do.” MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 08: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is challenged by Andy Diouf of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Inter lost 2-1 away at Real Madrid on Tuesday, but Diouf was among their standout performers. “Diouf was a surprise. He put in an excellent performance in Madrid,” Capello said. “It’s thanks to players like him that Inter can improve and stay competitive on all fronts, even if, for me, it should be customary for Inter to fight for every target.” Capello, a 1993-94 Champions League winner with Milan, was not surprised by Como’s 4-1 win against RB Leipzig. “Not at all, but I’m very demanding about Como,” he said. COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como 1907, celebrates after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) “I really believe in this team, in Fabregas and his players. But I want to see Como play fast, like last season.” Capello is particularly intrigued by the Como coach: “He changes tactics, and he doesn’t tell his players: ‘This is who we are; we just play like this.’ No. When he sees he needs defenders, he puts them on, and he’s not ashamed. It is a sign of intelligence.” Capello already praised Como’s Diao right after Como’s win on Thursday, and now added: “He and Diouf impressed me most at Como and Inter. They have a change of pace, quality and speed.” COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Assane Diao of Como 1907 celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Como have three wins and one draw in their opening four games across all competitions this season, and Capello believes they can even fight for the Scudetto. “I think so. Once they secure Champions League qualification again, in the final stages of the season, they will have to prove they are competitive enough to make things difficult for the others,” the ex-Milan, Roma and Juventus coach concluded.