ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello has urged his Manchester United players to follow the example of John Terry last season and return stronger from Champions League heartbreak.
Capello believes pressure got to United in their defeat to Barcelona in the final of Europe's top club competition, but the focus now is on international duty and getting England a step closer to the World Cup.
Defeating Kazakhstan next weekend, then Andorra the following Wednesday, could help the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney get over their Barca defeat.
Terry did that year ago when he scored for England in his first match after losing in the final with Chelsea.
"I hope we will have this reaction," Capello said. "Terry is one fighter. He played very well the game after the final and missing the penalty.
"I hope for the same reaction from the other players. It's very, very important. It's normal in a career of one player to lose and to win. For me, I forgot every time when I lost."
Capello felt United were affected by the weight of expectation in Rome.
"The pressure. You have to win. I know this very well," he said.
"When you have to win sometimes the pressure is too big and when you go to the pitch it's not the same. United played for 10 minutes like United but not after.
"These are very important players. Yes, if you win you are happy and it's easier for me. But I don't think we'll have a problem.
"After, you have to look to the future, look forward. You have to forget what happened."
United's defeat was orchestrated by Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield, underlining Spain's position as one of the favourites for next year's World Cup.
Capello believes Guus Hiddink's tactics for Chelsea in the semi-final against Barca offered a style which would trouble the Spaniards.
"I watched three games and I learned a lesson - Hiddink and (Pep) Guardiola," Capello said. "When Barcelona played here they didn't play.
"Chelsea played better. It's possible. If you want to understand you have to see the different keys of the games.
"For me it was very, very interesting, very important for the future."
Capello insists he is not concerned by Rooney's lacklustre performance in the final.
"He lost easy passes in Rome - incredible," Capello said. "He was nervous. He wanted to play different. But it's not a problem for me because he's a very, very good player and he will play very well."
Defeating Kazakhstan next weekend, then Andorra the following Wednesday, could help the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney get over their Barca defeat.
Terry did that year ago when he scored for England in his first match after losing in the final with Chelsea.
"I hope we will have this reaction," Capello said. "Terry is one fighter. He played very well the game after the final and missing the penalty.
"I hope for the same reaction from the other players. It's very, very important. It's normal in a career of one player to lose and to win. For me, I forgot every time when I lost."
Capello felt United were affected by the weight of expectation in Rome.
"The pressure. You have to win. I know this very well," he said.
"When you have to win sometimes the pressure is too big and when you go to the pitch it's not the same. United played for 10 minutes like United but not after.
"These are very important players. Yes, if you win you are happy and it's easier for me. But I don't think we'll have a problem.
"After, you have to look to the future, look forward. You have to forget what happened."
United's defeat was orchestrated by Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield, underlining Spain's position as one of the favourites for next year's World Cup.
Capello believes Guus Hiddink's tactics for Chelsea in the semi-final against Barca offered a style which would trouble the Spaniards.
"I watched three games and I learned a lesson - Hiddink and (Pep) Guardiola," Capello said. "When Barcelona played here they didn't play.
"Chelsea played better. It's possible. If you want to understand you have to see the different keys of the games.
"For me it was very, very interesting, very important for the future."
Capello insists he is not concerned by Rooney's lacklustre performance in the final.
"He lost easy passes in Rome - incredible," Capello said. "He was nervous. He wanted to play different. But it's not a problem for me because he's a very, very good player and he will play very well."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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