Germany look fitter than 'stupid' England - Franz Beckenbauer
Germany great Franz Beckenbauer believes that Englandhave been "stupid" in allowing themselves to finish second in their World Cup 2010 group.
That means that the Three Lions will face old foes Germany in the last 16 on Sunday.
Beckenbauer believes the game should be taking place later in the tournament as it is such an iconic fixture.
"A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," the man who won the World Cup as both player and manager told Germany's Bild newspaper.
"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group."
Beckenbauer also believes that the German players look fitter and fresher than their English counterparts because the demands of a long Premier League season are so intense.
"The English look a little tired," he added.
"There is a good reason for that: the Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions.
"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out.
"Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition.
"Of course we respect them, but we certainly don't fear them.
"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry, but they improved against Slovenia."
But 'Der Kaiser' is still sounding a note of caution. He feels that the age of some of England's key men could fire the Three Lions' motivation.
"What makes them dangerous is that their key players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry sense that this could be the last chance in their career to win a World Cup," he explained.
"And after all, England have been waiting since 1966 for a title.
"Fabio Capello appears to have brought discipline to the troops. After they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England hit rock bottom.
"Capello has brought in a new structure.
"England against Germany - they were always the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," said Beckenbauer.
"Football fans can only look forward to this classic."
Source:Goal.com
That means that the Three Lions will face old foes Germany in the last 16 on Sunday.
Beckenbauer believes the game should be taking place later in the tournament as it is such an iconic fixture.
"A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," the man who won the World Cup as both player and manager told Germany's Bild newspaper.
"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group."
Beckenbauer also believes that the German players look fitter and fresher than their English counterparts because the demands of a long Premier League season are so intense.
"The English look a little tired," he added.
"There is a good reason for that: the Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions.
"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out.
"Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition.
"Of course we respect them, but we certainly don't fear them.
"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry, but they improved against Slovenia."
But 'Der Kaiser' is still sounding a note of caution. He feels that the age of some of England's key men could fire the Three Lions' motivation.
"What makes them dangerous is that their key players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry sense that this could be the last chance in their career to win a World Cup," he explained.
"And after all, England have been waiting since 1966 for a title.
"Fabio Capello appears to have brought discipline to the troops. After they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England hit rock bottom.
"Capello has brought in a new structure.
"England against Germany - they were always the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," said Beckenbauer.
"Football fans can only look forward to this classic."
Source:Goal.com
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
http://www.htmlcommentbox.com/">HTML/
