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Franz Beckenbauer blasted England as 'stupid' for failing to win their World Cup group ahead of the second round clash with Germany.
The old foes will renew their rivalry in Bloemfontein on Sunday after England came second in Group C, while Germany were Group D winners.
Beckenbauer, nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' during his playing days, feels the match-up is worthy of the latter stages with the two nations having previously met in the 1966 final, the 1970 quarter-finals and the 1990 semi-finals.
England were relieved just to get through having gone into their final group game needing to beat Slovenia yet the German legend, who won the World Cup
as a player and a coach, slammed Fabio Capello's "burnt-out" squad for their failure to win a group that featured the USA, Slovenia and Algeria.
"A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," he told the Bild newspaper.
"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group.
Classic
"England against Germany - they were always the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," Beckenbauer added. "Football fans can only look forward to this classic."
England laboured to draws against the USA and Algeria before beating Slovenia 1-0 on Wednesday.
Germany also had to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat by Serbia to beat Ghana 1-0 after hammering Australia 4-0 in their opener.
But Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than England heading into Sunday's showdown after a gruelling Premier League season.
"The English look a little tired," he said.
"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.
No fear
"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."
Beckenbauer has already hit the headlines during the World Cup by accusing England of playing "kick and rush" football following their 1-1 draw against the USA.
However, the 64-year-old noted England have a star-studded line-up and believes their squad will be motivated by the fact they are unlikely to feature together again at the 2014 finals.
"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 added.
"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."
http://www.skysports.com/football/wo...226007,00.html
The old foes will renew their rivalry in Bloemfontein on Sunday after England came second in Group C, while Germany were Group D winners.
Beckenbauer, nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' during his playing days, feels the match-up is worthy of the latter stages with the two nations having previously met in the 1966 final, the 1970 quarter-finals and the 1990 semi-finals.
England were relieved just to get through having gone into their final group game needing to beat Slovenia yet the German legend, who won the World Cup
as a player and a coach, slammed Fabio Capello's "burnt-out" squad for their failure to win a group that featured the USA, Slovenia and Algeria."A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," he told the Bild newspaper.
"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group.
Classic
"England against Germany - they were always the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," Beckenbauer added. "Football fans can only look forward to this classic."
England laboured to draws against the USA and Algeria before beating Slovenia 1-0 on Wednesday.
Germany also had to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat by Serbia to beat Ghana 1-0 after hammering Australia 4-0 in their opener.
But Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than England heading into Sunday's showdown after a gruelling Premier League season.
"The English look a little tired," he said.
"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.
No fear
"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."
Beckenbauer has already hit the headlines during the World Cup by accusing England of playing "kick and rush" football following their 1-1 draw against the USA.
However, the 64-year-old noted England have a star-studded line-up and believes their squad will be motivated by the fact they are unlikely to feature together again at the 2014 finals.
"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 added.
"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."
http://www.skysports.com/football/wo...226007,00.html
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