Capello Slams 'Confused' Chivu as Milan's Scudetto Surge Hits Lazio Wall
Fabio Capello criticised Inter coach Cristian Chivu for seeming 'confused' after a 1-1 draw with Atalanta, while urging Milan to capitalise but warning against over-eagerness. Milan's title hopes took a hit with a 1-0 loss to Lazio, courtesy of Gustav Isaksen's goal, leaving Rafael Leao fuming on the bench. Inter lead by eight points, but the race remains wide open with key fixtures ahead.
Capello Slams 'Confused' Chivu as Milan's Scudetto Surge Hits Lazio Wall
Picture this: you're nursing a pint, dreaming of Derby glory, when suddenly Inter stutter against Atalanta, and Milan fluff their lines in Rome. That's the Serie A title race in a nutshell right now, lads. Legendary gaffer Fabio Capello has waded in, calling out Cristian Chivu for looking a tad bewildered on the touchline.
Inter huffed and puffed to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro with Atalanta, staying top but not convincing anyone. Refs copped some flak for second-half calls, but Capello – chatting to Gazzetta dello Sport – wasn't buying it entirely. "I was there, mate," he reckoned. "They weren't sharp up top, missed chances to bury the game, and those subs? Shocking. Why yank Esposito when he was keeping Atalanta honest?"
Chivu's Tactics Under Fire, But Nerazzurri Still Calling Shots
Capello didn't hold back on Chivu, Inter's interim boss. "He seemed a bit confused," the ex-Milan, Juventus and Roma chief dished. Fair play, Krstovic nicked the equaliser for the visitors, but Inter spurned openings when ahead. Still, with an eight-point lead over Milan (who've a game in hand), the cat's still in the bag for the Nerazzurri.
Milan sensed blood after the Derby win, eyeing that Lazio trip to claw back ground. Capello had words for Rafael Leao too: "Lost his zip, innit? Slow on the trigger, got muscled out." Christian Pulisic was name-checked hopefully, but as Lorenzo Bettoni reported for Football Italia, dreams turned to dust quicker than a flat pint.
Upcoming slate? Inter face Fiorentina away, then Roma and Como. Milan? Torino at home, Napoli away, Udinese next. Capello's verdict: Milan need Inter to slip up thrice and win everything themselves. Possible? Sure. Likely? Pull the other one.
Lazio Stun Milan: Isaksen Strikes, Leao Loses Plot
Fast-forward to the Olimpico, and Gustav Isaksen played hero for Lazio, slotting home after Pervis Estupinan fluffed his lines. 1-0 to the hosts, and Milan's charge fizzled. As Susy Campanale covered for Football Italia, the Rossoneri had chances – Kenneth Taylor pinged the bar, Pulisic forced a top save – but couldn't convert.
Lazio exploited the right flank relentlessly, Adam Marusic lofting for Isaksen to pounce past Mike Maignan. Rafael Leao? Subbed off fuming, gesturing wildly like he'd just been told off for nicking chips. Mario Gila and Edoardo Motta stood firm, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru menaced on counters.
Ultras back in force after boycotting, and with Adrien Rabiot banned plus injuries to Matteo Gabbia, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Santiago Gimenez, Milan shuffled the pack. Ardon Jashari slotted in midfield, but it wasn't enough. Lazio snapped a rut, beating Sassuolo prior, and sent Milan packing.
Title Race: Hope for Milan, Headache for Chivu?
Capello nailed it: Inter must stumble, Milan must sprint. That Olimpico loss leaves them five points adrift (post-game in hand factored), nine matches left. "Fired up can backfire," he warned – spot on, as Milan overcooked it.
Inter's draw sparked joy at Milanello, but Rome was a reality check. Chivu's crew top the tree, but Capello's critique stings. Will the Romanian steady the ship? Or does Massimiliano Allegri (wait, Milan's boss?) spark a comeback? Pour another round; this Scudetto scrap's got legs yet.
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