Switzerland v England: Preview
Published: 07 Sep 2010 - 11:46:43
England skipper Steven Gerrard believes Wayne Rooney will be in the
right frame of mind to shine in their Euro 2012 qualifier against
Switzerland.
- Comment:
Cahill is the right choice for England's future / VIDEO:
Capello on Rooney / Getting
to know your opposition: Switzerland
Rooney will be back in action in Basle for the first time since
allegations concerning his private life appeared in a Sunday newspaper.
The Manchester United star has been in the spotlight for the past 48
hours and the behaviour expected of top players has been a constant
source of debate.
But Fabio Capello confirmed Rooney will start against the Swiss and
Gerrard believes returning to play football can be a "release" for a
player if he is encountering off-the-pitch problems.
Rooney looked back to his best before attracting the front-page
headlines in setting up all four goals during Friday's 4-0 success over
Bulgaria at Wembley.
Gerrard said: "I haven't spoken to Wayne about his issues off the field
because, to be blunt, they are nothing to do with me.
"Wayne knows I'm here for him as a friend and also as a team-mate but he
seems fine to me.
"He trained well yesterday and wants to play. I just hope he performs to
the level as on Friday when he was superb.
"The team certainly need him to play at that sort of level if we are to
get the three points we are after. When he is on top form, he can score
and create goals and win matches on his own."
Gerrard admitted:
"If you have got issues off the pitch, football can be a release and
when the game kicks off you are totally focused on it.
"You have to push off-the-park matters to one side and only come back to
them when a game is over but that's the same for most footballers."
Two years ago England set the benchmark for their World Cup
qualification campaign with a 4-1 victory over Croatia in Zagreb.
In the same way, Switzerland represent England's biggest threat to
qualifying automatically for the 2012 finals and they showed their
pedigree with victory over eventual World Cup winners Spain in South
Africa.
Gerrard said: "I think it will be difficult to get a 4-1 scoreline this
time. Switzerland are a very good team, very organised defensively and
difficult to score against.
"But we want to build on Friday's performance and we will go into the
game full of confidence. Our target when we came together last week was
six points. A draw against the Swiss would be a decent result but we
want the three points."
The only selection issue for Capello appears to be whether to persevere
with Gary Cahill in place of the injured Michael Dawson in defence or
recall Matthew Upson.
But Gerrard has faith in whoever Capello decides to put into place
alongside Phil Jagielka.
He said: "You don't have to change much after winning 4-0 but I am sure
whoever plays at centre-half will do a good job.
"Gary Cahill did well when he came on the other night and Matthew Upson
did a superb job in the qualifiers for us and also played in the World
Cup.
"We are aware it is our first away game since the World Cup and will be a
big test but we are up for the challenge and confident."
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