Kaiser takes another swipe at England

Fabio Capello shouldn’t worry about his team talk on Sunday, he just needs to pin up Franz Beckenbauer’s latest comments.

The Kaiser, who slammed England earlier in the tournament, has taken another swipe at the Three Lions after their crucial 1-0 win over Slovenia on Wednesday.

The victory earned England second place in Group C, after USA’s late winner saw them through as group winners, and Capello’s men will now meet old rivals Germany in the round of 16.

It’s a clash both sides would have preferred to avoid until the latter stages of the World Cup, but Capello won’t need to rouse his troops after Beckenbauer’s latest outburst.

“Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group,” Beckenbauer said.

Adding: “The English look a little tired.”

It’s the sort of trash talk that will have England licking their lips and leave Germany coach Joachim Loew with his head in his hands.

Germany started their tournament with a thumping 4-0 win over 10-man Australia, butwere then beaten by Serbia after having a man sent off before narrowly edging out Ghana 1-0.

They have certainly lost momentum after their opening game when they showed a fluid passing style and a repeat of that performance against England will give Capello’s men problems.

But they haven’t been as impressive since, while England look to be building in confidence.

After a nervous start to the tournament England eventually found their feet against Slovenia and should have recorded a bigger victory than the 1-0 result.

It promises to be a tight encounter in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon with the winners likely to face Argentina in the last eight.