Last weekend was far from ideal for two of Serie A’s traditional powerhouses, Juventus and AS Roma. Both clubs stumbled at crucial moments and failed to collect maximum points, raising fresh doubts about their title ambitions.
Juventus were held to a frustrating 1–1 draw by Lecce at the Allianz Stadium, dropping valuable points at home. Meanwhile, AS Roma returned to the capital empty-handed after suffering a narrow 0–1 defeat against Atalanta in Bergamo.
Those results have left both teams stuck in the Serie A standings. Juventus and Roma now sit fourth and fifth respectively, level on 33 points. The gap to third-placed Napoli has widened to four points, a margin that looks even more concerning given that Napoli, AC Milan, and Inter Milan all still have a game in hand.
On paper, the numbers suggest Juventus and Roma are drifting out of the Scudetto conversation. However, legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello strongly disagrees with that narrative.
Capello: “The Title Race Is Far from Over”
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello delivered a clear warning to those ready to dismiss his former clubs. In his view, the Serie A title race remains wide open, and both Juventus and Roma still possess the quality and mentality required to challenge.
“In my opinion, they are still dangerous teams and very much involved in the fight across competitions,” Capello said. “The championship is not decided yet.”
Capello’s stance comes from experience. Having won league titles with both clubs, he understands how momentum, squad depth, and head-to-head clashes can dramatically reshape the standings in the second half of the season.
Juventus Showing the Right Signs Despite Setback
Capello reserved particular praise for Juventus, focusing less on the result against Lecce and more on the overall performance and attitude displayed by the Bianconeri.
Despite dropping points, he believes Juventus are evolving in the right direction under Luciano Spalletti, showing renewed intensity and tactical clarity.
“Direct clashes between top teams will reduce the gap in the table,” Capello explained. “Watching Juventus lately, I see a team that is doing very well.”
According to Capello, Juventus were punished harshly for a single mistake against Lecce, despite dominating large periods of the match.
“They didn’t win and paid dearly for one error, but I thought they played with spirit, pace, and quality,” he added. “That is exactly what you expect from Juventus at this stage.”
While the home draw was undoubtedly a missed opportunity, Capello insists it should not overshadow the broader progress being made.
“The result wasn’t positive, but Juventus are on the right path. People should be careful before ruling them out.”
Roma’s Inconsistency and Capello’s Disagreement with Gasperini
Turning his attention to AS Roma, Capello offered a more nuanced assessment. He acknowledged that Roma’s first-half display against Atalanta was disappointing, lacking aggression and control.
However, he openly disagreed with Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who suggested refereeing decisions favored Atalanta early in the match.
“They played a poor first half against Atalanta,” Capello said. “But I don’t agree with Gasperini when he claims Atalanta benefited from early decisions.”
Capello’s interpretation of the key moments differed significantly. He argued that Atalanta were fortunate in certain situations and that Roma failed to capitalize on crucial chances.
“For me, Atalanta’s disallowed goal was questionable, and then there was Zalewski’s clear one-on-one chance that could have made it 2–0,” Capello analyzed.
Signs of Roma’s True Potential
Despite the defeat, Capello was encouraged by Roma’s reaction after the break. In the second half, he saw a more recognizable version of the Giallorossi — aggressive, technically sound, and capable of competing at the highest level.
“In the second half, I finally saw the real Roma again,” he said. “A team with a lot of potential.”
This inconsistency, according to Capello, remains Roma’s biggest challenge. When they impose their style, they look capable of beating anyone. When they lose focus, however, they make life unnecessarily difficult for themselves.
January Transfer Window Could Be Decisive
Capello did not shy away from highlighting the areas that still require improvement. For both Juventus and Roma, the January transfer window could prove decisive in determining whether they remain genuine Scudetto contenders.
For Juventus, the issue is particularly clear in attack. With Champions League commitments adding to the physical demands of the season, Capello believes the squad lacks a powerful central striker.
“Considering Juventus are also competing in the Champions League, they need more weight in attack,” he said. “They are missing a strong, physical center-forward.”
As for Roma, Capello believes Gasperini’s project is still in transition. Implementing an aggressive, high-intensity style in the capital is never straightforward, but the foundations are visible.
Trust in the Process, Not the Panic
Capello concluded by urging patience and strategic thinking rather than panic-driven judgments. In his eyes, both projects are incomplete but promising.
“If the transfer rumors are true and the clubs manage to find the players they’re looking for, they will grow significantly,” he explained.
“Spalletti has brought Juventus back into contention with a clear playing method. Gasperini is trying to instill aggression and determination at Roma — a mentality that is never easy to build in this city.”
As the Serie A season approaches its decisive phase, Capello’s message is clear: counting out Juventus and AS Roma now could be a costly mistake.
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