Carragher Calls For Champions League Form For England
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher wants England's players to show
the level of performance they have been producing in the Champions League
this season when they represent the three Lions in Saturday's vital Euro
2008 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv.
Following the taking of just one point from the last six
available in the qualifiers, England desperately need to get their campaign
back on track by earning maximum points from the upcoming double-header
against the impressive Israelis and Andorra.
And Carragher is confident the pressure will act as a spur and motivate
the England players. He draws a comparison with the way Liverpool, Manchester
United and Chelsea players have been motivated in Champions League games.
The Scouser said of the Israel clash: "It is a big game. When the
draw was made, Israel away was always going to be a tough game and we
would like to have got a few more points on the board in our group.
"That's what probably makes it a bigger game than it was at the start
of the group. They are going to put us under pressure and maybe there
will be a hostile crowd as well.
"But that is something the players in our squad who have played in
Europe are used to and hopefully we can take the performances of the players
who have played in Europe onto the international stage."
Carragher added: "The atmosphere at such a game shouldn't faze you.
It works the other way. It gives you a buzz and a boost. It's great to
play in these games. That's what the game is about.
"The atmosphere adds a bit of pressure but, as England players, you
prefer to play in those type of atmospheres.
"Liverpool went to Barcelona in the Champions League, went a goal
down, and people were saying 'Liverpool's season could be over' and we
came back. It's that type of game you are in the game for.
"Barcelona have some of the best players in the world. We prepared
very well and I am sure we will prepare as well as we can for Israel."
Carragher is also pleased to see the return of midfielder Owen Hargreaves
after injury, and believes his presence back in the team will be a real
boost.
"Owen is a fantastic player," he said. "He had a great
World Cup for us and has been a bit of a miss for us in recent months.
Hopefully with him coming back in, he can show what he can do.
"We're all aware of what he can do and hopefully he'll give us more
chance of getting the points on Saturday."
,
22/03/2007.
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