Reports: Capello dismisses Beckenbauer criticism

England coach Fabio Capello has dismissed criticism on his team by German legend Franz Beckenbauer as an expression of fear ahead of a possible round of 16 World Cup match between the long-time rivals.

English news reports on Wednesday said that Capello was not too bothered with Beckenbauer’s allegations that England “have gone backwards into the bad old times of kick and rush” after their 1-1 draw against the United States.

“Fabio Capello believes Germany is scared of England,” titled the

Daily Telegraph , citing team sources.

“Sources claimed that Capello, however, was not surprised by the outburst and, in some ways, regards it as a compliment. ‘They are scared of us because we can crush each other,’ one source said on Tuesday night.”

England defender Matthew Upson has also dismissed Beckenbauer’s criticism, which was made on Monday in a column for DPA .

“We will play the football that suits us best. We want to win matches, so we will choose our style according to that,”

The Guardian quoted Upson as saying.

The West Ham defender added: “Whatever he thinks about our style of play is his opinion. If we are accused of kick and rush but win something, I don’t think many people will complain.”