Capello insists both Napoli and Inter Milan are capable of giving the competition a shake.
He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "All the big European teams have strengthened and the level has risen compared to a year ago. So what? Let's arm ourselves with determination and confidence, because competing with the giants and reaching the top is possible."
In this sense, Capello said of Napoli: "The transfer campaign of (Aurelio) De Laurentiis' club speaks for itself, there's no point in hiding it. The team has been built with great care to be competitive both in the league and in the Champions Cup. Of course, (Romelu) Lukaku's absence will be felt, because the Belgian is a striker accustomed to the Champions League stage and because his movements were crucial in developing (Antonio) Conte's game.
"Napoli's move, however, to replace their starting centre-forward with Hojlund, once again underscores the Azzurri's ambitions: Conte and his men can also be protagonists in Europe, and this could be the right time for Antonio to go all the way in a tournament where he has never really been a protagonist."
Inter, however, can also have their say, says Capello: "They'll have to transform their anger and bitterness over the Munich outcome into positive energy to try again, and their blistering start to Serie A gives them cause for optimism. The Nerazzurri have everything they need to get there this time too: they have the structure, mentality, and players—and by players, I mean the new arrivals, finally, who are up to the standard of the regulars."