Fabio Capello Identifies the Key to Neutralizing Osimhen

Legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello has weighed in on the highly anticipated second leg of the European clash involving Victor Osimhen, offering a tactical blueprint for Juventus to contain the Nigerian striker. Speaking on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Capello emphasized that stopping Osimhen requires more than just physical strength; it demands a specific defensive profile capable of matching the striker’s explosive pace and aerial dominance.

Capello pointed to a specific Juventus defender as the "crucial" element in this mission, suggesting that the player’s tactical discipline and recovery speed will be the deciding factor in the match. According to the former AC Milan and Real Madrid boss, allowing Osimhen space to run behind the defensive line is "suicidal," and the identified player must act as a shadow to prevent the Super Eagles star from turning and facing the goal. Capello noted that while Osimhen is currently in world-class form, a disciplined man-marking job can frustrate his supply line and diminish his impact.

The "Capello approach" often favors neutralizing the opponent's greatest threat first, a tactic that served him well throughout his trophy-laden career.

As the second leg approaches, all eyes will be on how the Juventus backline responds to Capello's public advice. With Osimhen’s ability to change a game in a single moment, the battle between the Nigerian powerhouse and the Juventus defense is set to be the defining narrative of the tie. For football enthusiasts, this tactical chess match represents the pinnacle of European competition, pitting one of the world’s most feared strikers against the storied defensive traditions of Italian football.

Do you agree with Capello that a specific man-marking job can stop Osimhen, or is the Nigerian striker simply too fast and too strong to be contained right now? Share your comments below!

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