Legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello has backed Arsenal to turnaround their 1-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final second leg. Arsenal will face PSG on Wednesday, with the Ligue 1 champions holding a slim advantage after Osumane Dembele’s fourth-minute strike in the first leg at the Emirates stadium.
Capello, who won the Champions League with Milan in 1994, believes Arsenal has all it takes to come back from a home 1-0 loss. “Arsenal truly impressed me against Real Madrid, and they have all it takes to come back from a home 1-0 loss,” Capello said on Arsenal News Channel.
He noted that the first leg was heavily influenced by Dembele’s early goal, which seemed to frighten Arsenal. “I’ve rarely seen Arteta’s team so cautious and timid, almost more focused on avoiding conceding a second goal,” Capello observed. “But in Paris, there won’t be room for calculations. The only thing left to be seen is whether the passivity in the first leg was purely psychological.”
Arsenal’s impressive performance against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, where they pulled a shock 5-1 win after recording a 3-0 first leg win, has given them the momentum to take on PSG. Meanwhile, PSG edged out newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties in the round of 16 before overcoming Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Capello’s prediction has generated significant interest among football fans, with many believing that Arsenal has the talent and determination to overcome the deficit. The Italian coach’s analysis of Arsenal’s cautious approach in the first leg has also sparked debate, with some arguing that it was a smart tactical move.
The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to progress to the final. Arsenal will need to show their best form to overcome PSG’s strong defense, while PSG will need to maintain their focus and composure to hold onto their lead.
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