Capello happy with Germany game hype

The full extent of his side’s failure to take their chances in Port Elizabeth became known when Mesut Ozil scored the goal that ensured Germany finished top of Group D.

It set up a revival of a long-standing rivalry, and reig-nited memories of 1966, 1970 and 1990.

Both countries are obses-sed about the outcome, with Franz Beckenbauer already stirring the pot by claiming England have been “stupid” in allowing themselves to end up in a more difficult section of the draw.

But for an outsider like Capello, the actual opponent was not as important as his team discovering their form again.

“For me, who we play is not important,” he said.

“What was important was to rediscover our spirit and finish first or second.

“Now we are into a play-off – and I think we are ready.”

Capello believes England are ready after they mana-ged to turn Wednesday’s clash into something more like a Premier League game rather than the pedestrian strolls that have gone before.

Both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were able to get forward with purpose and James Milner excelled, delivering a succession of excellent crosses from his right-wing berth.

“The performance of the team was really important,” said Capello. “I saw the spirit we had lost in the games we played before.”

For all the troubles of the previous days, the issues John Terry raised in public but was denied a chance to do so behind closed doors, for all the “big mistake” the Chelsea captain made, it seems a message got home.

It may have been the fairly simple realisation that England can only achieve their aims as a unit rather than unsettled individuals.

But without doubt, there was a common goal, and it ensured the problems of previous games were resolved.

“We saw the games we played, the first half against Algeria in particular, and we understood that was not a good way to go forward,” said Capello.

“Training was really good all the time. It was focused and fast. We found the physicality that we have known, the physicality that we know in the Premier League.”

The Italian has realised trying to engage in a slow, technical game is not the way forward for England.

They could however, do with being more clinical, if only to avoid the nerves that scarred the final 15 minutes when Slovenia hunted the equaliser that would have knocked England out.

“We created chances but we didn’t score, so we had to suffer,” lamented Capello.

It is hard to envisage Capello making changes, with only the defensive slot alongside Terry up for grabs.

After a shaky beginning, Matthew Upson improved but the smart money must be on the recall of Jamie Carragher from suspension against opponents who can boast the expertise of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose.