England coach Fabio Capello kicked off the Three Lions’ Euro 2012 qualification campaign in defiant mood despite the country’s dismal World Cup in South Africa this summer (England 9/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).
The Italian has seen his status downgraded from hero to villain over the last 12 months – hero after a near-perfect run in World Cup qualifying and villain after the limp performances heralded just one win and humiliation at the hands of Germany.
Capello says he can live with the vitriol aimed in his direction from the press, though, and has effectively told his detractors that he is immune from the pressure piled on his shoulders.
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s showdown with Bulgaria at Wembley, Capello blasted his inquisitors by claiming: “You create the god, and you create the monster, no?
“I remember what you wrote about me a short time before this period.
“I live the same moment when you write well of me as when you write badly of me. You have to live with the pressure. It is my job.
“This is my team. We lost one game in the World Cup after one big mistake from the referee.
“You don’t remember this. But after this, your opinion about me changed completely.
“You wrote a lot of things differently. But I live with this situation.”
Capello’s position was the subject of an FA review immediately after the World Cup although the fact he had signed a new deal ahead of the tournament, reportedly removing the Italian’s get-out clause, may well have tied the governing body’s hands.
Regardless, Capello will lead England out against Stanimir Stoilov’s side later before the trip to Switzerland for next Tuesday’s clash with the well-organised Swiss.
Bulgaria’s squad is shorn of the services of Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov – he retired from international football in May at the age of 29 after 77 caps and a record 48 goals.
Stoilov can call on the Premier League duo of Stiliyan Petrov and Martin Petrov, but elsewhere there a few household names in the travelling party (England 3/10, draw 4/1, Bulgaria 10/1 – 90 minutes).
However, the same could have been said about Algeria ahead of the goalless draw with the North Africans back on June 18 when England were booed off the field by their own fans, prompting a furious outburst from striker Wayne Rooney (8/1 – England 0-0 Bulgaria).
England will be without Frank Lampard, John Terry, Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon and Bobby Zamora through injury.
Bulgaria have never won on English soil in five attempts.
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