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England host Spain at Wembley in a mouthwatering friendly match designed to see exactly where Fabio Capello’s men stand on the International stage.
An acid test, or quite simply a glorified friendly fixture? Some say the former whilst others stress the latter.
Neither in agreement nor in disagreement, the English media have themselves been keen to point out that Saturday’s clash with the European and World champions comes at an important time for Fabio Capello’s men who continue to remain unconvincing.
The last match saw the Three Lions squander a 2-0 lead away at Montenegro and the result was made all the more severe as key striker Wayne Rooney was shown a straight red card following a petulant kick out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic.
The expected three match ban swiftly followed and threatening to cut his losses on the temperamental number 10, coach Fabio Capello has decided to leave ‘Wazza’ out as he plots a way past a Spanish side bristling with confidence and oozing class.
Qualification itself for next summer’s showpiece event in Ukraine-Poland came at a canter for England, however, it is the manner and profound lack of swagger encapsulating the whole campaign which has raised many eyebrows.
And so in hindsight, the arrival of the world’s finest side at international level has come at a good time.
The players on show will be a who’s-who of the game’s finest stars with the likes of David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas and David Silva ready to strut their stuff on the hallowed New Wembley turf.
Hosts England will be keen to put in a better performance than the last time they took on La Roja Furia in February 2009; then they were outclassed and given the proverbial ‘bath’ by a rampant Spanish side who swept to a classy 2-0 victory in Seville.
Since then both sides have improved, the problem is those in red have improved more so than those in white and in addition have added the World Cup crown to their previously dire trophy cabinet.
Darren Bent Ready To Lead The Line
For England striker Darren Bent, the match provides a perfect opportunity to impress Capello before tough decisions will be made when the Italian picks his final 23-man squad.
Minus Wayne Rooney, the Aston Villa striker is chomping at the bit to prove himself and will be given the chance come Saturday.
“If I get selected, hopefully I’ll do myself justice and hang onto the shirt,” he told the assembled press ahead the clash.
“I’ve got a few goals recently for England but this is going up another gear. Spain are the best team in the world, who won the last World Cup and the Euros.
“They’ve got players out of this world and it will be a great game to be involved in. It would be great to play against someone like Spain and prove you can handle yourself at that level.
“You are going to meet people like them next summer so it’s a chance to show what you can do,” he ended.
Indeed it is. Defeat is not an option but in hindsight it will be understandable. Spain have in recent years defeated the likes of France, Germany (twice), Italy, Russia and of course England, axiomatically proving the class and quality besotting Vicente Del Bosque’s men and should (as expected) they triumph come Saturday few, even Capello himself will be surprised.
Likely Line-Ups:
Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Negredo, David Silva, David Villa.
England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Darren Bent.
Prediction: England 1-3 Spain. Statistically it’s the world’s seventh ranked side against the premier ranked side and no prizes for predicting the outcome.
Spain trump England in every department and will win. As for the score line, that depends on how much Del Bosque’s men want it as the proverbial media-bashing of the national side continues.
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