Napoli backed to catch Juventus by former England boss

Former England boss Fabio Capello has urged Napoli and the other Serie A challengers to keep chasing Juventus for the Scudetto.

Juve, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, have raced into a nine-point lead at the top of Serie A, winning 17 and drawing two of their opening 19 games.

Can anybody catch Juventus? Five key things to know…

1. Juventus have won the past seven Italian league titles and already have a nine-point lead this season.
2. The Old Lady are unbeaten in the league so far this season, winning 17 and drawing two of their 19 games so far.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo is Serie A’s top scorer with 14 goals so far.
4. Napoli are Juve’s closest challengers so far, but sit nine points off top spot having lost three league games already.
5. The Partenopei themselves have opened up a five-point gap on third-placed Inter.

Napoli are the Old Lady’s next-closest challengers, but the fact that Juventus have seen off competition to win the last seven Italian championships has led many pundits to declare the title race already over.

But Capello doesn’t see it being so black and white, urging ‘Napoli and the others’ to keep challenging.

“I don’t agree, look at the available points,” Capello insisted in an interview with Il Messaggero.

“Those who are chasing Juventus must not give up, Napoli and the others. The fans are used to it, the Bianconeri have been dominating for seven years, but the passion is still there.

“In Milan, it has even grown.”

On the subject of Milan, Capello also revealed his 1994 Champions League win to be his best moment as a manager while receiving a career award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.

“I thank all my teams, Roma, Juventus, Milan, Real Madrid, England and Russia,” said Capello, who oversaw AC Milan’s 4-0 win over Barcelona in Athens to win the European Cup 15 years ago.

He added: “The most wonderful moment of my career was beating Barcelona 4-0 in Athens for the Champions League final. All the journalists assumed we were done for, and we ‘only’ won 4-0.

“If you have great players, you can beat anyone, as mentality is the most important thing.”

That day, Daniele Massaro scored twice while Dejan Savićević and Marcel Dessailly also found the net to complete the scoreline. It was the fifth time AC Milan won the trophy and denied Barcelona their second.

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Ramsey set for Juventus move?

After rejecting a new contract offer from Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey looks set to agree on a move to Italian giants Juventus on a free transfer.

Juventus have been renowned for picking up top talent on free transfers over the years, bringing in the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Dani Alves in the past.

And it appears Ramsey is set to join that list of names, with Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici confirming the club’s interest in the midfielder.

He told Sky Sports: “He’s a great player, he’s been at great levels for years and plays in a great team.

“It [Ramsey’s contract] is due to expire and we are always attentive to the situations that can be created. Juve are on him. Will Ramsey play with us after July? This is all to be verified. For now, he is an Arsenal player.”

The post Napoli must not give up on catching Juventus – Fabio Capello appeared first on Squawka News.

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