Capello sees similarities between Calafiori and Sergio Ramos, but ponders Italy’s Bastoni duo

Fabio Capello believes Riccardo Calafiori could mirror Sergio Ramos' career path but worries about Italian defenders' ability to handle fast Spanish strikers.

Chirag

June 18, 2024

Calafiori Compared To Sergio Ramos — Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Fabio Capello sees potential for Riccardo Calafiori to emulate Sergio Ramos’ career trajectory but expresses concerns over Italian defenders’ ability to cope with fast Spanish strikers.

Calafiori made a notable impact in Italy’s EURO 2024 debut against Albania, marking his first appearance in the tournament. Under CT Luciano Spalletti, the Bologna standout partnered with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni in central defense. Despite conceding an early goal, Italy rallied to a deserved victory over Albania, creating numerous chances in the first half.

Capello, in his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport, highlighted the upcoming challenge posed by Alvaro Morata, noting the striker’s potency despite occasional perceived laziness. He emphasized Spain as a formidable test for Italy, urging heightened vigilance from the Azzurri in their upcoming clash.

Reflecting on Italy’s defensive performance, Capello praised Bastoni and Calafiori, crediting their solid display partly to the support provided by Nicolò Barella. Drawing parallels between Calafiori and a young Sergio Ramos, Capello noted their shared transition from full-back to center-back roles, highlighting Calafiori’s composure and maturity despite his Euro debut.

Capello’s primary concern lies in the pace of the Bastoni-Calafiori partnership, particularly in one-on-one situations against swift opposing strikers. He stressed that the Albania match will provide further insights into this critical aspect.

Looking ahead to the Spain encounter, where Morata is expected to feature despite minor injury concerns, Capello observed Italy’s training regimen and preparations, underscoring the strategic significance of managing defensive matchups against Spain’s attacking prowess.