Capello outlines fantastical expectations

Fabio Capello wants to add a touch of fantasy football to the team spirit he believes will take England to the World Cup finals in two years' time.

The England boss has been told by Luiz Felipe Scolari and Marcello Lippi how a tight-knit squad pulling together is vital to winning the biggest prize in football - as they did with Brazil and Italy respectively - but Capello also wants flair.

"We have some players with good fantasy, very interesting players," he said.

"I remember in the first game when we played Switzerland, I was very worried because I didn't see the spirit and the English characteristics," he said. "But after four games I am very happy because step by step we have moved on and have found the spirit of the group.

"These are the characteristics of the England players, but also I was surprised by the fact a lot of players are very good technically - very, very good.

"There are also players with fantasy and that is very important at this moment. Now, modern football is a 9-1 formation and without fantasy or one player dribbling, with good passes, it is impossible to score goals."

Capello has been in Vienna to watch Croatia, who England will face in September in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Luka Modric's penalty gave Slaven Bilic's side the lead against co-hosts Austria but they were then required to dig in, just as Capello expects his own players to do.

"I saw Croatia and their spirit," he said. "They are together as one group, they work hard together, they suffer, they help everyone and that's very important. Without the group, it's impossible to win.

"Always at a World Cup, a European Championship, the team that wins it has a strong group. I spoke with Scolari and I spoke with Lippi and both told me that the group was very, very strong, a very strong unit. The first XI and the whole squad of 23 stayed together and were very focused."