Franz Beckenbauer taunts England's 'inferior power'

Fresh from his dig at England's style of football in their opening two draws at the World Cup, when he said the team play 'kick and rush', the German legend has now picked another war of words by saying England will be mentally and physically fatigued by the time they get to Bloemfontein.

A nervy 1-0 win over Slovenia saw Fabio Capello's men make it through to the last-16 from Group C.

But Beckenbauer says the English domestic campaign will hamper England's efforts from here on in.

'What Germany have in our favour against England is our power,' the former coach told German daily newspaper Bild.

'The Englishmen looked tired [in the group stage] and there’s a reason for it: Premier League stars play far more games than their Bundesliga counterparts, including two national cup competitions.

'Hence they’re often burned out at World Cups or European Championships.


'That’s the impression I had after watching England's first two appearances in South Africa. Our players are in better physical condition.'

Germany themselves laboured to get out of their group after a second-half goal earned them a 1-0 win over Ghana - although defeat would have seen them eliminated altogether.

But Beckenbauer added: 'England versus Germany - those were always the greatest, most unforgettable games in our history.

'Such a game is fit for a semi-final, not in the second round, but unfortunately the match has come much too early.

'The English stupidly messed it up by finishing runners-up in their group.

'Do we need to fear our friends from the island?

'We need to respect them, but certainly not fear them. England’s first two World Cup appearances were poor.'


(source: metro.co.uk)