Fabio Capello says England can win the FIFA World Cup
Once again, before the start of a FIFA World Cup in South Africa, England is one of the favorites to lift the golden cup in 2010. Yet, as always, there is a cloud of uncertainty as to how far they would proceed in the competition.
England is among the toughest teams to beat, but their manager Fabio Capello said the squad had the belief they could win the Cup. Having built up confidence over their impressive qualifying campaign, experts believe that the team is ready to surprise the best.
"After the game against Andora in Barcelona when they won 2-nil, we played very well against Croatia. In addition, after this moment, the players understood they could beat all the teams in the world.
"And I'm very happy now with the England team and the players. Always we have to improve but I think if all the players are fit, we can beat all the teams at the World Cup."
Manager of the English squad Fabio Capello has identified former champions Germany as a dangerous threat to their campaign. The World Cup starts in South Africa in June. Talking to the media, Capello stressed that Germany's fantastic record at World Cups is imposing and it did not make particularly good reading for England. While Capello believes Germany will be a danger in South Africa, he also offered the assembled group an insight into his thinking regarding some of the other teams. He revealed he expected one African team to surprise the rest of the lot.
"Possibly, it will be Ivory Coast or South Africa because they play at home", Capello said.
"The people say it's not good but Germany is the team they has played the most finals in the world.
"Italy, more or less, after Brazil is the same...for that reason, you have to respect those teams always."
The Italians used the example of German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, who only just qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League. Capello referred that the club side, just like the German tradition have only improved as the tournament has gone on and are into the final against Inter Milan.
"At the end of the season, they (German teams) are very dangerous to play against because during the winter, they stop for one month, the Bundesliga," Capello explained.
"They recover the fastest, always, and this is really good for their players."
However, Capello was confident he could inject freshness into his own squad, most of who will be coming off an arduous Premier League season.
"The English players arrive tired but I think in one month, with the doctors and different training, we will be fit for the start of the World Cup," he said.
England will play warm-up matches before the tournament and Capello re-iterated his stance that he would not be carrying any player not considered a hundred percent fit.
"I have to speak with the doctors but if the player is fit, he will stay with us. Nevertheless, if a player is injured or has some problem, they will not stay with us.
"I prefer one fit player as opposed to one player who is not fit. Injury, even small problems, I will have to speak with the doctors."
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