Capello warns Barcelona: ‘If Inter stopped Messi, they can also do it against Yamal’ | OneFootball

Fabio Capello has warned that if Inter’s treble-winning side from 2010 were able to stop Lionel Messi and Barcelona on their way to the Champions League trophy, then there is no reason why Simone Izaghi and his current crop of Nerazzurri players can’t do the same against Lamine Yamal and co.

Inter booked their spot in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will play Barcelona over two legs, following a 4-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich over the last two weeks.

Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi helped the Nerazzurri to a 2-1 victory in Bavaria, before a 2-2 draw in San Siro on Wednesday night, goals coming from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard on that occasion.

Capello sends Inter warning to Barcelona

Capello, writing in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column, has already begun to make assessments ahead of the Inter-Barcelona clash, which will kick off at the Olympic Stadium on April 30.

Capello acknowledges the fact that Barcelona have arguably the best attacking unit in the world on current form with Yamal, Raphina and Robert Lewandowski.

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Camp Nou on August 24, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, in order to stop them, Capello feels that Inter will need to win the battle in midfield.

“If the treble-winning Inter stopped Messi, they can also do it today against Yamal,” Capello wrote.

“Obviously, Inzaghi will not allow Yamal, nor Raphinha, to have too much space in front of him. Barcelona’s stars have too much quality to be stopped in open play, and Lewandowski is a killer in the box. But Inter are very skilled at closing things down and keeping balance.

“The challenge within the challenge will be in midfield. The class of Pedri and De Jong against the quality and dynamism of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot with teammates Marcus Thuram, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“The two Blaugrana midfielders are very good at transforming the action from defence to attack. But, if I had to choose, I would keep the Nerazzurri midfielders. Few teams in Europe can boast such a well-organised department.”