Capello's England wary of possible US threat
June 12, 2010, Saturday
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FABIO Capello, just a child when England last met the United States at the World Cup 60 years ago, is acutely aware a repeat of that famous result today would create another sensation.
As a three-year-old, he heard of the Americans' 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on June 29, 1950, from his football-mad friends and family. This time, in his first appearance as a team manager at the World Cup, the 63-year-old Capello knows the whole world is waiting to see if England might lose again in its opening Group C fixture at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
For a coach whose career is littered with honors from AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, it is a potential banana skin he is determined to overcome against a nation that has made giant strides over the last 20 years and beat Spain during an impressive display at the Confederations Cup last year.
"I understand this is a really, really important moment for the country but I am relaxed," he said on Thursday. "This team has improved a lot. We've found a spirit. Things are good now."
In 24 matches in charge, Capello has led England to 18 wins, but all that will mean little if the US secures a third triumph in 10 meetings with its trans-Atlantic rivals.
Defiant
Capello has remained defiant but has several questions to answer including which of his goalkeepers will be first choice behind a rebuilt central defence and recrafted central midfield. The loss of captain Rio Ferdinand required Michael Dawson to fly from London and meant Ledley King was promoted as the likely partner for Terry in central defence.
In the absence of injured midfielder Gareth Barry, Capello will partner new skipper Steven Gerrard with Frank Lampard, despite mediocre showings together in the past.
US coach Bob Bradley has also rotated his lineup in the last three warmups but is expected to start with striker Jozy Altidore, who missed Saturday's 3-1 win over Australia due to an ankle injury which has healed. The key tactical question is whether Altidore plays with a partner and if he does then in-form Edson Buddle is favorite for the role.
However, as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are essentially attacking players, in wide midfield positions, there is a lot of responsibility on the two defence-minded central midfielders.
One alternative option is to leave Altidore alone up front and play an extra midfielder, giving the US a five-man midfield against England's four.
As a three-year-old, he heard of the Americans' 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on June 29, 1950, from his football-mad friends and family. This time, in his first appearance as a team manager at the World Cup, the 63-year-old Capello knows the whole world is waiting to see if England might lose again in its opening Group C fixture at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
For a coach whose career is littered with honors from AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, it is a potential banana skin he is determined to overcome against a nation that has made giant strides over the last 20 years and beat Spain during an impressive display at the Confederations Cup last year.
"I understand this is a really, really important moment for the country but I am relaxed," he said on Thursday. "This team has improved a lot. We've found a spirit. Things are good now."
In 24 matches in charge, Capello has led England to 18 wins, but all that will mean little if the US secures a third triumph in 10 meetings with its trans-Atlantic rivals.
Defiant
Capello has remained defiant but has several questions to answer including which of his goalkeepers will be first choice behind a rebuilt central defence and recrafted central midfield. The loss of captain Rio Ferdinand required Michael Dawson to fly from London and meant Ledley King was promoted as the likely partner for Terry in central defence.
In the absence of injured midfielder Gareth Barry, Capello will partner new skipper Steven Gerrard with Frank Lampard, despite mediocre showings together in the past.
US coach Bob Bradley has also rotated his lineup in the last three warmups but is expected to start with striker Jozy Altidore, who missed Saturday's 3-1 win over Australia due to an ankle injury which has healed. The key tactical question is whether Altidore plays with a partner and if he does then in-form Edson Buddle is favorite for the role.
However, as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are essentially attacking players, in wide midfield positions, there is a lot of responsibility on the two defence-minded central midfielders.
One alternative option is to leave Altidore alone up front and play an extra midfielder, giving the US a five-man midfield against England's four.
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