He's at it again! Franz Beckenbauer calls England 'stupid' for setting up Germany clash

The vice-president of the German Football Federation had already taken a swipe at England by claiming they had gone backwards under Capello and played only "kick and rush football".

Now Beckenbauer says England have been "stupid" to set up a match with Germany at this early stage of the tournament.

And the 64-year-old, a World Cup winner as a coach and a player, believes Capello's players are "burnt out" following a gruelling Premier League season.

England's failure to win Group C — they were pipped by the USA who scored a late winner against Algeria yesterday — pitched them into Sunday's game in Bloemfontein.

Beckenbauer, also known as Der Kaiser, said: "A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game. Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group."

However, Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than Capello's side and that this will work in their favour on Sunday.

"The English look a little tired," he told Bild newspaper. "There is a good reason for that: the Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions.

"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out.

"Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition. Of course we respect them but we certainly don't fear them.

"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry but they improved against Slovenia."

Beckenbauer admitted it will not be an easy game for Germany, since he expects England to be particularly motivated, not only due to the age-old rivalry between the two nations.

"What makes them dangerous is that their key players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry sense that this could be the last chance in their career to win a World Cup," he added.

"And after all, England have been waiting since 1966 for a title.

"Fabio Capello appears to have brought discipline to the troops. After they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England hit rock bottom. Capello has brought in a new structure."

The stage is set for "another fantastic football battle", which Beckenbauer says is guaranteed when the two teams lock horns.

"England against Germany — they have always been the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," said Beckenbauer.

"Football fans can only look forward to this classic."

A second-half goal from Mesut Ozil helped Germany beat Ghana 1-0 at Soccer City last night which took them to the top of their group.

The last World Cup finals meeting between the teams came in 1990, when West Germany beat England on penalties in the semi-finals. Prior to that, they also met in the 1982 second group stage, the 1970 quarter-finals and the final in 1966 at Wembley.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm is relishing the last-16 encounter with England. He is keenly aware of the history of the fixture and said: "The duel against England is, of course, a
classic. The anticipation ahead of it is huge.

"We look ahead with confidence. But we know that we have to do some things better."

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, though, claimed England had the upper hand. "Perhaps it is an advantage not to be the absolute favourite against England," he said.