Raffaele Sergio, former footballer and coach, shared his opinions in an interview on TMW Radio's "Maracanà" broadcast, dedicated to the upcoming Champions League matches and the internal dynamics of Italian teams.
In the segment dedicated to Roma against Real Madrid, Sergio highlighted the difficulty of the Rossoneri team facing a Mourinho team. According to him, Real Madrid "will wait and try to make the most of the opportunities", while Roma will have to maintain a high pace to try to equalize the result. He underlined that the Spaniards, as always, are "cynical" and capable of finding the solution even in the most complicated moments.
Regarding Napoli's match against Villarreal, Sergio recalled the impact of the period in which Conte led the Nerazzurri. He noted that the team adopted a game system that left an imprint that was difficult to erase. When Napoli returned to a back three, the performance improved significantly. According to him, the key to the club's success is "rediscovering points of reference and balance"; only in this way can Napoli be a nuisance until the end of the season. He also mentioned the need to recover McTominay, but advised caution in case of any problems.
Sergio then spoke about Lazio and Gattuso's role. He praised the coach for bringing balance and an adequate structure to the team, despite the initial uncertainties. He warned that a small crisis could endanger the balance achieved and underlined the importance of managing fans' expectations. He also recognized that, on the transfer market, Lazio's choices were "right and prudent".
The interview concludes with a reflection on the future of Italian teams in the Champions League, highlighting the importance of maintaining tactical and mental balance to face European challenges.