Capello gambles on fringe men

Fabio Capello has admitted he is taking a risk by leaving some of his key men out of this evening’s friendly with Spain – but believes it is vital to learn how his fringe players cope against such high-class opposition.

Already without Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere due to injury, Capello also opted not to select Rio Ferdinand on form grounds and Wayne Rooney because he will be suspended for the start of England’s Euro 2012 quest in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

In addition, John Terry will be on the bench at Wembley as Capello wants to know more about his back-up defenders.

Given current world and European champions Spain will arrive with all their star men, it does appear Capello is taking a massive gamble. “Yes. It is a risk. But not a lot,” said Capello. “We respect all the teams but Spain’s style is different. Their ball possession is really good and when they lose it they press very quickly to win it back. This is why you need to play a good game and play with confidence. We have prepared well but we know it will be difficult.”

With such a significant core of Barcelona players, the danger is that Spain get on the same carousel Sir Alex Ferguson felt the Catalans climbed aboard when they so contemptuously flicked Manchester United away on the same Wembley pitch in last season’s Champions League final. Yet even if Andres Iniesta and Xavi were left out due to their club’s re-arranged Spanish cup tie this week, Spain could still call on David Silva, in sparkling form for Manchester City this season.

Silva is one of the few members of the Spain squad who have no connection to either Barca or Real Madrid, the team Capello twice managed to title success in La Liga. That CV gives Capello a unique insight into what turned Spain from serial underachievers to one of the most successful national sides ever.

“It was really important for the Spanish team to win the Euros (in 2008),” he said. “Before that, their confidence was not so good. Now they are a fantastic team, and it is based around Barcelona and Real Madrid, because between them, they more or less have the most important Spanish players for Spain.”