Steely Brazil are the team I fear, admits boss Capello
ENGLAND head coach Fabio Capello has identified Brazil as the biggest obstacle on the path to long-awaited glory at next summer’s World Cup.
The five-time winners barely broke sweat as they strolled to a 1-0 friendly win over Capello’s men in the heat of Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
Brazil have long been known for their flair, but current boss Dunga has moulded a side that also has steel and discipline in abundance.
And it is the addition of these Capello-like characteristics that make the England boss fear Brazil more than European champions Spain.
“It was the first time we played against a team that was so physically strong, fast and technically good,” said the Italian. “Their style is very different to Spain.
Spain are really good technically. They pass the ball a lot. But they are not as strong and they don’t defend as well.
“When we played Spain they were very good but we still created four chances to score. On Saturday night I counted two; once when James Milner crossed the ball and on another occasion when Wayne Rooney tried to shoot after a dribble.
“When you look at that, I don’t think Brazil will be easy to beat.”
But while Capello eulogised, captain John Terry, who missed the game with an ankle injury, sounded unimpressed by the south Americans, calling them “nothing to worry about”.
“We are giving them a lot of credit for the win over us but the game had a friendly written all over it from the start,” said the Chelsea defender, who blamed a lukewarm performance on the heat of the Middle East.
“In training the manager was stressing he wanted us to press more and the players were saying at half-time: ‘We’d love to but it’s difficult’, and the conditions were a bit tiring.
“I don’t think Brazil are anything to really worry about. They are a very good side, I am not saying they are not. We have to look at our own strengths and qualities and I think we can mix it with the best sides in the world. Listen, they’ve got their weaknesses, like we have.”
Capello has one more friendly scheduled, in March against as yet unnamed opponents, before the finals in South Africa, where he will attempt to become the first England manager to win a major trophy since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966.
Spain, who also beat England in a friendly last year, are the world’s No1 ranked side and the bookmakers’ current favourites to land the trophy, ahead of Brazil and then England.