Basle (Switzerland), Sep 6 (DPA) England may have begun their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win over Bulgaria but if anything the problems have only got worse for manager Fabio Capello before Tuesday’s game here.
The loss of Michael Dawson to a knee injury means yet another new defensive partnership, with Gary Cahill looking likely to make his first start for England alongside Phil Jagielka.
But of more concern is the forward situation, following tabloid allegations about Wayne Rooney9s private life on Sunday.
Manager Fabio Capello must make the final decision whether Rooney will play while midfielder James Milner is sure the claims won’t affect the Manchester United striker.
‘We’ve got to make sure they don’t,’ he said. ‘Things are always said in the paper, good things, bad things, about the England team when results are going well and when they’re not going well.
‘You have highs, you have lows, and it’s down to us to make sure only thing that matters – what happens on the field, come together and make sure we get the result,’ Milner said.
Although England got off to an impressive start against Bulgaria, Milner is taking nothing for granted against Switzerland.
‘Winning football matches is the only thing that matters,’ he said. We’re here to win a football match.
‘We’ve all trained as a squad in preparation for the game on Tuesday. It’s a big game, and it’s down to us go out and get the right result.
Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland, who have scored just four goals in their last 10 games, have problems of their own, and forward Alexander Frei was booed by home fans during Friday9s 0-0 friendly draw with Australia.
But goalkeeper Marco Wolfli is confident his side can win their campaign-opener.
‘We want to fight for first position in this group, not second,’ he said. ‘We know people look at England as favourites to reach (the 2012 finals in) Poland and Ukraine but we need to make our home a fortress and to keep the group open.’
He has recent experience against English opposition having played for Young Boys Berne in their Champions League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, who had Jermain Defoe, England’s hat-trick hero Friday, up front.
‘This match is very special to me personally because after that game at Tottenham I want my sporting revenge – and to beat England, he said.
‘I dream of this happening and I do not fear England, even after their win against Bulgaria.’
