Andorra v England
2010 Fifa World Cup Qualifier
Group Six
7pm, Saturday 6 September 2008
Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Croatia v England
8pm, Wednesday 10 September 2008
Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb
As Fabio Capello prepares to name his squad for the crucial opening World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia, the England Manager says that the significance of the games is not lost on him, but that the pressure will not affect him.
A man who has achieved unbridled success in such passionate and demanding arenas as the San Siro and the Bernabeu, Capello has a track record that commands instant respect, and pressure is nothing new to him.
Capello admitted: "I know if we win you are the best and if you lose you are the stupid man. I know this is the situation and it is my job. If you can't take the pressure you can't be in this job.
"For me the pressure is normal and this is my job."
Capello also explained that no player is guaranteed a place in the team, with form and fitness a necessity if they are to be selected for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.
"No one is untouchable, not the captain, the vice-captain - no one," Capello revealed.
Looking back on the period of nine months he has spent building towards the competitive games, Capello says that not being able to work with the players every day has been a limitation that has required some adjustment.
"It is a different job," Capello said when reflecting on what he had expected on becoming England Manager in January.
"In my other jobs I have trained with my team every day. It is not easy meeting up for every game. I just get a week to work on tactics and formation."