Fabio Capello has never been one to “play it safe”, as they say. He’s moved between high profile clubs for years now and almost seems to seek out jobs that will subject him to the most speculation and second-guessing. He likes a challenge, and there may be no greater challenge in sport than satisfying the notoriously hard-to-please fans of the English National Team.
Capello has done well so far though. He has a 7-1-1 record and has avoided controversy with his player selections, usually choosing to go with a mixed stable of tried-and-true veterans and emerging young talent. Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say he “had” avoided controversy, that is, until this week.
A slew of injuries (Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Theo Walcott) and a notable snub (David Beckham) will have England’s starting eleven looking vastly different today than it ever has before. Moreover, Capello’s choice of Michael Mancienne (who has never played in the Premier League and is on loan to League Championship leader Wolves), has left many pundits questioning his sanity.
I think Capello knows exactly what he is doing though. He knows what Beckham can do (not that much anymore), and he wants to tinker with some other players to see if they can raise their game when called upon. There is nothing wrong with test driving a few players to see if they will be able to contribute in 2010.
In fact, experimentation is the only way to evaluate new players and examine their chemistry together. But, Capello’s decision to go with many unproven players (at least at the international level) has lead some to criticize his call-ups. The harsh critiques of Capello’s decisions have been even more present this week due to England’s opponent: Germany.
The England-Germany rivalry is one of the best in international football. The nations’ shared dislike for one another was forged during the bloody battles of WWII. The football teams’ mutual hatred of one another likely began shortly thereafter at the 1966 World Cup Final. It is a rivalry that will probably continue perpetually so long as both teams continue to take the pitch against one another. England leads the all-time rivalry with 14 wins to Germany’s 10. But, Germany has been the better team of late, taking two of the last three from England and faring far better in international tournaments.
All eyes seem to be on Maradona today, but it’s Capello who is taking the biggest chances. Whether they pay off or not will be a good indication of which direction this English side is heading. If England loses, expect the British media to excitedly denounce his decisions. If they win, he will continue to be heralded as a genius. As the outcome is still uncertain, so are tomorrow’s headlines.
One thing is certain though.
There is no such thing as a England-Germany friendly. Every game between these two squads is of the utmost importance to the two nations’ respective citizens.
