Capello: England were lucky
Posted Wednesday, September 07, 2011 by The Sun
FABIO CAPELLO admitted England were lucky to scrape their first Wembley win for a year and slammed his team for their lack of confidence.
The Italian coach pulled no punches as Ashley Young grabbed a 35th-minute winner although Welsh sub Robert Earnshaw missed a sitter 14 minutes from time.
Capello's team needs just a point in Montenegro next month to be certain of reaching Euro 2012.
He said: "It was lucky. We did not play well in the last 15 minutes and we suffered and we didn't play good passes, we never pressed the ball.
"We played sometimes on the counter-attack, but without speed.
"There were no good passes, no movement of the ball. The last 20 minutes of the first half were not so bad.
"At Wembley, we lose the confidence. Some players that usually can dribble, can go straight at goal, do not do this.
"We hit four or five balls in front of goal but there was only ever one player in there.
"I always want three in front of goal, but we had no movement. We missed this. But I'm happy with the result and, sometimes, it is the most important thing.
"When they play at Wembley, our opponents want to play with more courage and aggression. They put more pressure on.
"We played well in the World Cup qualifiers and never had problems at home. There was pressure to get the result and the other team played without problems. They played with a free mind."
Asked whether England could win Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine if they play like this, Capello said: "I think we cannot just play well for 20 minutes. You can suffer.
"We need a point to be sure. Montenegro need to beat us and Switzerland because they are six points behind us.
"I think Montenegro will be a big game, a difficult game."
Capello, delighted with match-winner Young, said: "Ashley is a really good player. I've known him for three or four years now.
"He's a really important player for us because his movement, without and with the ball, is technically really good."
Quizzed about the performance of Frank Lampard, who was given a surprise start, Capello gave a vague answer.
He said: "All the team played the same level — some moments well, some moments not well, some moments with confidence, others without.
"I think all the players played at the same level. He played in the first XI because it was a good moment to decide this side."
Wales boss Gary Speed said: "We deserved a draw. We took the game to England and stuck to our game plan.
"We knew what to expect and were unfortunate not to get the result. But I'm really proud of all the guys.
"I think we played a great second half. We knew we were playing one of the top four teams in the world and that we would come under pressure.
"We wanted to stay in the game and we did that well.
"We knew it would open up in the second half and we'd get our passing game going and we managed to open them up."
Speed admits he was about to celebrate an equalising goal only to see Earnshaw miss embarrassingly.
The former Sheffield United boss said: "I thought he was going to score.
"If you'd want one person in that position it would be Earnie.
"But he's mentally strong and will get over that. It was one of those things.
"I thought it was in when the ball dropped to him but I'm more proud with the way Wales played and took it to them."
Earnshaw said: "For me personally I am devastated. To say the least I am p***** off and annoyed.
"I won't watch it again — no chance. I just hope I get another chance here.
"I know I should have scored and my team-mates know I should have scored.
"I should have equalised, I am not one of those to hide.
"But for the bigger picture it is brilliant for me to have chances at Wembley and this team has really progressed tonight."
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