Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, has openly criticized his team’s attitude and lack of seriousness following their narrow 1-0 victory over Andorra in a World Cup qualifying match. Despite securing a win, Tuchel expressed deep dissatisfaction with the performance, highlighting concerns about the players’ urgency, energy, and overall approach to the game.
The match, played away from home in Barcelona due to Andorra’s stadium unavailability, saw England dominate possession with 83%, yet they struggled to break down a defensively organized Andorra side ranked 173rd in the world. The only goal came from captain Harry Kane in the 50th minute, assisted by Noni Madueke. While the victory extended England’s winning streak in the qualifiers to three matches, the manner of the win left much to be desired.
Tuchel was particularly critical of the team’s performance in the final 20 to 30 minutes of the match. He noted that the players lost momentum after a promising start in the first 25 minutes and failed to regain it. “I didn’t like the attitude how we ended the game,” Tuchel said.
“We seemed to lack the seriousness and urgency necessary for a World Cup qualifier. At times, it felt like we were playing with fire. The end attitude and body language were not suitable for the event”.
The German coach emphasized that the team’s energy dropped at a crucial stage when it was most needed, describing the situation as if the team underestimated the danger of the situation despite the slim lead. He warned that the players would receive a stern dressing down in a team meeting to clarify expectations and improve their approach in upcoming matches, including a friendly against Senegal. Tuchel insisted that the message about urgency had been communicated, as evidenced by the strong start, but the team failed to maintain that intensity throughout the match.
Several factors contributed to the sluggish performance, including the end of a long domestic season for many players and the warm, humid conditions in Barcelona. However, these did not excuse the lack of attacking imagination and the perceived complacency, as England had previously beaten Andorra six times with a combined score of 25-0. Former players and pundits echoed the criticism, noting that the team appeared bored and lacked the drive to impress the new manager.
Despite the criticism, Tuchel acknowledged some positives, particularly the performance of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who was the most dangerous player on the pitch and showed hunger to execute the game plan. Kane also praised Madueke’s contribution, calling for more players to take risks and challenge opponents aggressively.
In conclusion, Thomas Tuchel’s critique of England’s narrow win over Andorra centers on a perceived lack of seriousness, urgency, and energy that he believes are essential in World Cup qualifiers. While the result keeps England on track for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year, Tuchel’s candid assessment signals that significant improvements are needed if England are to make a meaningful impact on the world stage. The manager’s forthcoming team meeting aims to address these issues and ensure a more robust and focused performance in future fixtures.