Del Bosque Praises Capello As Europe's 'two Best Teams' Prepare to Meet

If a return to Spain should allow David Beckham to draw level with the 108 England caps won by Bobby Moore, it is ditching the American dream and moving to Milan that could help him go even further and break Peter Shilton's all-time record of 125. That is the verdict from the Spain captain, Iker Casillas, who played alongside Beckham during his four years at Real Madrid. The goalkeeper has also praised the Football Association for turning to the coach who ended a four-year drought at the Santiago Bernabéu, leading him and Beckham to the Liga title.

"Beckham is a key figure for the English national team, and everyone knows how well he plays," Casillas said ahead of tomorrow night's friendly in Seville. "I think his decision to come back to Europe was dead right if he wants to continue with England. Since he has been back in the team, he has shown Capello that he is worthy of a place in the side. He has character and personality and is very important in the dressing room.

"I think the English FA have taken a very good decision by appointing Fabio Capello," continued Casillas. "He brings a new atmosphere to his teams. He really imposed discipline on the dressing room. He always demands everything from his players, he has no favourites and he lives every game with real intensity. He is on top of everyone all the time and after a period without winning anything he took us to success. After bad results, Capello is the man to get teams going again. He is a good signing for England."

The Spain coach, Vicente del Bosque, was equally quick to praise Capello and to thank the Premier League for its role in Spain's success. Del Bosque also denied any rift with Rafael Benítez over the call-up of Fernando Torres, insisting that despite the Liverpool manager's complaints it could be beneficial for Torres to play at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium in a game Del Bosque described as: "the best you could possibly see in Europe right now".

"You can really see the impact that Capello has made," said the Spain coach. "He has made England into England once again. He has placed great emphasis on their defence, they are compact and well-organized, they move the ball on quickly, they are strong in the air and they are a real threat from dead balls, with players who can deliver superbly.

"Right now, these are the best two teams in Europe – Spain are continuing from the European Championship while under Capello England are getting back to the highest level after missing out. They have some key players who have been there for a long time, like [John] Terry, [Rio] Ferdinand or [Steven] Gerrard, but there is a very good new generation coming through now as well."

Del Bosque added: "I am not trying to play down the conflict with Rafa Benítez. There has been no conflict. I have maintained good contact with him since the Liverpool-Villarreal game in the summer when we saw each other. Our relationship is perfectly correct. I spoke to him on Friday about players' fitness and form and it was a cordial conversation."

The coach refused to confirm, however, that he will ensure that Torres does not play 90 minutes, even though he has suffered three hamstring injuries already this season and has only just returned to action. In fact, there was a hint of defiance in his voice when he added: "It might be good for Fernando Torres to play a lot of minutes so that he goes back to Liverpool in better shape."

Del Bosque does not want to lose the support of the Liverpool coach. After all, the club have provided the current Spain squad with more players than any other. "One of the reasons for the bonanza in Spanish football is the fact that our players are breaking down barriers and going abroad," Del Bosque insisted. "It gives them a better footballing education and Spanish players going to England has been very, very good for us."