Capello explains differences between Fabregas and Allegri: ‘Always pragmatic’

Fabio Capello has explained where the difference lie between Como and Napoli and their head coaches Cesc Fabregas and Massimiliano Allegri ahead of the meeting of the two sides in Serie A on Sunday evening.

Only two weeks into the 2026-27 Serie A season, this is already a blockbuster clash in the race for the top four, as last season's second-place side visit the fourth-place holders as both sides look to keep hold of their European status for 2027-28.

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Much has been made of Como, their heavy spending and the success of young head coach Fabregas, who has taken the team from Serie B to the Champions League within the space of three seasons.

They are set to take part in their first ever Champions League season in 2026-27, which includes a dream return for Fabregas to his former club Barcelona, as well as a trip to Paris and a visit from Manchester United.

Capello on Fabregas, Allegri and Como vs. Napoli

FABIO CAPELLO – SEPTEMBER 15: Former Milan and Juventus coach Fabio Capello of Italy managing the Red Team during a charity match for the Slovenian flood victims on September 15, 2023 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In August 2023 major floods occurred in two-thirds of the Slovenian territory due to heavy rain. Deemed as the worst natural disaster of the country. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) (Capello article use)

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"To talk about Fabregas, we have to discuss what he has built," Capello wrote when analysing the Spaniard in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column.

"From the start, he had clear ideas about what he could do in Italy. He started from the youth teams, and as soon as he was put in charge of the first team, he brought his culture and way of thinking about football, and it's showed.

"He understands that in order to make an immediate jump, he had to strengthen the team with very precise ideas about the type of players he wanted: Good players who are strong technically more than anything. Also players with personality, those who want to be part of the group, who run and sacrifice themselves.

"From the Serie B days, he has always had a group that follows him. It's essential to have a clear idea of what it takes to win. His style of play starts from the front, not playing it backwards, but instead trying to always play forwards.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como Calcio, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio at Anfield on August 16, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

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"The Champions League will be a double step-up and Fabregas will face lots of difficulties. They're no longer a surprise in the league, though. They've strengthened, have spent a lot of money and now need to impose themselves."

On Sunday, Fabregas will come up against a modern-day Serie A great in Allegri, who left Milan after one disappointing season earlier this summer and is now in charge at Napoli.

"Allegri on the other hand, starts again after just one year in Milan. I won't discuss his full career as a coach, but he's undeniably going through an interesting period," Capello pondered.

"When he went to Milan, everyone thought he could take them back into the Champions League and have a strong league season. He did it for three quarters of the season, and then I don't know what happened, but the team stopped playing for either him or for the shirt. That shouldn't be forgotten."

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Napoli before the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

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Capello continued: "However, throughout his career, Allegri has always been pragmatic, he knows how to score goals and knows how to get players winning with his mentality. He's always tried to highlight the individual skill of certain players, individuality is always important for him. The players have to show what they're capable of.

"Now he's gone to a team that already had a coach of a certain level in Conte, and now he has to bring his ideas to players that he only previously knew as opponents. He has to bring something out of them that helps them become the biggest challengers for Inter in the league, but more importantly, he has to develop a team that can do well in the Champions League."

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