Our sister site Football.co.uk brings you all the build-up to England's World Cup knockout game with old enemy Germany, kick-off 15.00, on the hottest day of the year!
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Capello: 'There is pressure, of course, but that is normal'
Fabio Capello has urged his players to shut out the historic significance of collisions between England and Germany in an attempt to focus minds before eagerly awaited the second-round encounter at Free State Stadium.The English are saddled with a wretched record against these opponents in the World Cup, stretching back to the final in 1966, with the build-up to this tie dominated by the prospect of a dreaded penalty shoot-out to decide who progresses into the quarter-finals. Yet Capello believes his side have turned a corner, citing the encouraging display against Slovenia as evidence his squad have rekindled the confidence that propelled them so impressively through qualification.
"We have to play against all other teams here," said Capello. "We have to beat the big teams, and Germany are one of those. But this game is not about anything more. There is pressure, of course, but that is normal. The game against Slovenia was very important for us because I saw the spirit of the team again.
"We played very well - passed it well, switched the play well, everything was really good - and created chances, so I have big confidence in my team. The spirit is back. It has been like that in training this week, too."
Coping with the weight of history is more of an issue for England's players than their Italian manager, though only three of tomorrow's anticipated starters - Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and James Milner - have not tasted victory over the Germans.
Matthew Upson is expected to retain his place at centre-half in an unchanged side, despite Jamie Carragher's return from suspension, with Ledley King on the bench.
England (4-4-2; probable): James; Johnson, Terry, Upson, A Cole; Milner, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe.
On a yellow card: Gerrard, Milner, Johnson.
Referee: J Larrionda (Uruguay).
Germany (4-3-3; probable): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Badstuber; Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Khedira; Muller, Klose, Podolski.
On a yellow card: Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Khedira, Muller.
Injured: Cacau (stomach).
(From an article by Dominic Fifield in www.guardian.co.uk)
Gareth Barry v Mesut Ozil
Another intriguing battle will see one of the players of the tournament so far face a man with just two competitive games under his belt since early May. Gareth Barry was forced to miss England's opening game with the United States but has since made the midfield holding role his own after starting the last two group games.
The Manchester City man will come up against exciting young attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil, who scored a fabulous long-range effort against Ghana to seal Germany's place as group winners. Ozil's pace and trickery could cause Barry and the English back-four a major problem.
Winner: Mesut Ozil
John Terry v Miroslav Klose
Former captain Terry was in excellent form against Slovenia on Wednesday, showing leadership and ability in equal measure. But he faces a much more difficult challenge this weekend as he comes up against prolific Bayern Munich front-man Miroslav Klose.
Klose scored in the Germans 4-0 win over Australia but was then sent-off against Serbia which caused him to miss their final group fixture. He won't worry JT for pace, but will provide a tough aerial test for the Chelsea skipper.
Winner: John Terry
Gerrard has confidence in Rooney England skipper Steven Gerrard warned Germany that Wayne Rooney's World Cup is ready to spark into life in Bloemfontein.
The Manchester United forward has never scored for England in two World Cup tournaments and has failed to hit the net since March.
However, Gerrard is unconcerned, saying: "The pressure is not just on Wayne but on the whole team. Top players put pressure on themselves and I'm sure Wayne is doing this in his spare time."
He added: "But it is only a matter of time before Wayne scores in this tournament.
"I have every confidence that he will play well (against Germany) because he played well in the last game and he is looking really sharp in training."
Gerrard insists England will be ready for all eventualities - including the last 16 meeting going to penalties.
England suffered the heartbreak of losing the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 semi-finals to Germany on spot-kicks.
He said: "We are very confident going into the game. We are on the back of a good performance against Slovenia.
"The mood is good, we have prepared hard for this game and we will do whatever it takes to get across the line into the last eight.
"It is going to be a very difficult game. Ideally we want to win the game in 90 minutes but if we have to go to extra-time and penalties, we will be ready."
Low misses German press conference Germany coach Joachim Low failed to show up for the official press conference ahead of the World Cup last 16 match against England on Sunday.
No player was present either -contrary to FIFA regulations - with goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke conducting the briefing and there was speculation that Germany were angry at not being allowed to train on the Free State Stadium pitch, ot it was a cheap attempt at mind games, Kope was the German keeper that saved the penalties agaubst England in the Euro 96 semi-final!
Instead they used the facilities at a nearby university complex before the press conference and Kopke said: "This is not a protest at all. People were not able to get here on time."
He added: "We were not able to use the stadium. We had to use another site and tried to be punctual (for the press conference)."
When pressed on what will be viewed as a snub by Low, Kopke became irritated.
He said: "We were not able time-wise to get here. We want to be well prepared for tomorrow, that is the reason.
"We were not able to practice on the pitch for logistics reasons. But it is the same for England. We are used to it. We did not practice in the actual stadium the last two times.
"It is not a protest, that's the way it is. There is no point in asking the question again and again."
A statement from FIFA read: "FIFA has taken note of this matter. No disciplinary sanctions are foreseen in such cases. However, in such situations, FIFA always reminds the teams of their media duties with regards to the competition, in the best interest of the media and the fans.
"Therefore, we have contacted the German team to remind them of these duties."
(Most articles and all photos supplied by http://worldcup2010.football.co.uk/)
- World Cup fixtures
The Guardian - TV Fixtures
FIFA's official World Cup 2010 site here:
www.fifa.com/index.html
Articles and blogs from the Guardian newspaper:
www.guardian.co.uk/football/worldcup2010
For the latest news from the England camp, go to our sister site here and post your views on how things are going on their exclusive message board:
www.england-mad.co.uk/
And finally, remember, on the S24 front pages are regularly updated videos giving you all the latest tournament news.
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The gorgeous Ms. Casta puts on her mournful face as France go home even before Italy
Finally, for the World Cup action that really matters, go here:
www.whoateallthepies.tv/babes/29911/the-stupendous-supermodel-world-cup-2010-uruguay-barbara-mori-v-france-laetitia-casta-group-a.html
