SOCCER/ Uefa Champions League quarter-finals: Fabio Capello is always the answer. Should a major vacancy arise, be it with England or at Real Madrid, he can instantly be presented as, in all likelihood, the best-qualified candidate to fill it.
The reputation is his by right. It was acquired somewhere along the way with Serie A titles with Milan, Roma and Juventus. Just in case anyone thought they could belittle him by whispering that Capello flourishes only in the cosiness of his homeland, he popped over to Spain for a year and made Real Madrid La Liga champions in 1997.
He might be a hired gun, but you have to admire the sharpshooting of a person who has been mowing down rivals for so long.
The sights are trained on Arsenal this evening when Capello brings Juventus to Highbury.
A fresh-faced Arsenal are taking on the most knowing of opponents. Even if Arsene Wenger is no stripling, the same contrast holds true between the managers. The Frenchman has an almost cranky devotion to his concept of the game, which can be maddening when the impracticalities reduce the rewards that the stylishness deserves.
Wenger can seldom bring himself to write a large cheque to buy a tough defender. Somewhere deep in his brain it must feel like a misuse of money that could be earmarked for another adroit, fast or creative footballer. That disdain for pragmatism helps explain why Arsenal have never been in the last four of the Champions League.
It would be wholly wrong to pretend Capello is capable of manufacturing only grinding teams. By building on the squad he inherited from Arrigo Sacchi, he even gave us the sole modern counterpart to the old European Cup's sacred occasion, when Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in 1960.
A dozen years ago Johan Cruyff bragged about the artistry of his Barcelona side and denigrated Milan by comparison. The following day, however, Capello's team put on an immortal display of craft, clever movement and imagination to win the Champions League final 4-0.
It would be true, even so, to say the Italian has not dedicated himself to the recreation of such glories. Capello has such a clear understanding of the fundamentals you sometimes wonder how they can so often elude managers who are left in his wake.
Since arriving at Juventus in 2004 he has concentrated on implanting a steel spine in the side. Fabio Cannavaro, Emerson, Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all been signed by him.
The methodical manner can sometimes be underwhelming, as it was most notably in the return leg of last season's Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool.
Juventus would have advanced on the away-goals rule if they had scored even once, but they were insipid in a 0-0 draw that was almost featureless. Things did not even perk up afterwards as Capello appeared indifferent to the failure. Liverpool had played with great care and wisdom, but the absence of any response seemed a mystery.
One could only guess that Capello, employed to bring the Serie A title back to Juventus, was preoccupied with that primary business. This season, with the retention of the title almost assured, probably has room in it for other priorities. The Turin club are peeved by the knowledge they have won the Champions League only twice.
Capello normally gets whatever he decides he wants. He has knowledge and authority in equal measure. This manager a long time ago came to the happy conclusion that by securing extremely lucrative contracts for himself he would command the respect of materialistic stars. The strategy has served Capello, and his bank balance, well.
His record also buttresses a forceful personality and he never hesitates to leave his imprint. Stars can be left looking like hired help: Alessandro del Piero, for instance, was often a mere substitute last season.
Player power is quashed and, thinking of opinionated Netherlands internationals, he once sneered at "Dutch professors".
Though Wenger is as intense in his undemonstrative manner, he has steeped himself in a project to an extent that Capello would never comprehend. He and Arsenal are all but indistinguishable, as the life of each is woven through the other.
The Juventus manager may have won the greater honours, but he will never transfigure a football club as Wenger has done.
ARSENAL (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Gilberto, Pires, Henry, Djourou, Song, Bergkamp, van Persie, Reyes, Walcott, Diaby.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Thuram, Balzaretti; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Chiellini; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.
Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)
