Kaiser slams ‘stupid’ England

GERMANY legend Franz Beckenbauer has claimed England have been “stupid” to have been left facing a World Cup last-16 clash with Germany.

And Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a coach and a player, believes the England players are “burnt out” following a gruelling Premier League season.

England’s failure to win Group C means they will meet Group D winners Germany in the first knockout phase match in Bloemfontein on Sunday and Beckenbauer would rather have seen the two sides go head to head later in the competition.

“A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game,” said Beckenbauer in Germany’s Bild newspaper. “Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group.”

However, Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than Fabio Capello’s side and that this will work in their favour on Sunday.

“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.

“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. We respect them, but we certainly don’t fear them.”

Beckenbauer expects England to be particularly motivated, not only due to the age-old rivalry between the two nations.

“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.”

Meanwhile, England striker Jermain Defoe has revealed England had been practising penalties should they be required at the weekend.

“Every day,” he said. “Ever since (the training camp) in Austria, everyone has been practising them.

“But I hope it doesn’t have to go that far.”

Asked if he would volunteer to take a spot-kick in a shoot-out, he added: “Yes, 100%.”

Germany captain Philipp Lahm described his side’s encounter with England as a “classic”.

Lahm was keenly aware of the history of the fixture and said: “The duel against England is of course a classic. The anticipation ahead of it is huge.

“We are looking ahead with confidence. But we know that we have to do some things better.”

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff started the mind games early by insisting that England, in spite of their nervy and unimpressive start to the tournament, will be favourites for the game in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.

“Perhaps it is an advantage not to be the absolute favourite against England,” said Bierhoff.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is backing Capello’s men to beat Germany this weekend.

Eriksson was in charge when England famously thrashed Germany 5-1 in World Cup qualifying in 2001.

When asked whether England could repeat the feat of nine years ago, Eriksson said: “Why not?

“I saw their match – they qualified and I think they played well, especially in the first half.

“I think they can beat Germany and that will be a big game, of course, a huge game.”