Tuchel Criticizes England's Apathetic Performance and Narrow Victory Against Andorra: A Serious Lack of Focus.
  • 488 views
  • 2 min read

Thomas Tuchel has expressed his disappointment with England's performance in their recent World Cup qualifier against Andorra, despite securing a 1-0 victory. The German manager didn't hold back, openly criticizing the team's attitude and accusing them of a lack of "seriousness" during the match.

The Three Lions, playing in Barcelona, struggled to break down a stubborn Andorra side, ranked 173rd in the world. Harry Kane's second-half goal proved to be the difference, but the overall performance was far from convincing, drawing boos from the travelling fans at both halftime and the final whistle.

Tuchel, who has now overseen three wins in World Cup qualifiers since taking charge, is clearly aiming for a more dynamic and attacking brand of football. However, he admitted that the team has yet to fully realize that vision. He pinpointed a lack of urgency, quality, and energy, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

"I didn't like the attitude how we ended the game," Tuchel stated. "I liked the attitude how we started the game, the first 25 minutes, but I didn't like the last 25 minutes, the last half an hour. I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier. We played with fire, and I didn't like the attitude in the end. I didn't like the body language, and I don't think it's what the occasion needed."

Tuchel elaborated, suggesting that his players might have underestimated the challenge posed by Andorra, "I felt it almost like in a cup game where the favorite does not smell the danger. I didn't feel a team that is aware it's only 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier because we were not happy with ourselves. I'm not blaming them, I even feel like (they felt) 'OK, we're not happy, and this is stuck today, it will not happen today'. Step by step, the energy dropped. We needed exactly the opposite, but we couldn't deliver that."

The England manager acknowledged that fatigue might have played a role, with many players coming off the back of a demanding domestic season. Nine members of the squad are also set to participate in the Club World Cup following Tuesday's friendly against Senegal. Despite these factors, Tuchel insisted on the need for a significant improvement in performance if England hopes to make an impact at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.

Echoing Tuchel's sentiments, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane also criticized the team's attitude. "We try to make excuses for England, but I thought when they scored the goal, they felt it was job done. I was really disappointed with their attitude when they scored," Keane said. He further added, "The manager can't be happy with the effort in the last half hour. Overall, particularly in the second half, the attitude wasn't great. When I see players getting bored, which I saw in the last half an hour, I don't like to see that. Go and get some more goals."

Tuchel will be looking for a response from his players in their upcoming friendly against Senegal, demanding a more positive and energetic display.


Writer - Lakshmi Singh
Lakshmi Singh is an emerging journalist with a strong commitment to ethical reporting and a flair for compelling narratives, coupled with a deep passion for sports. Fresh from her journalism studies, Lakshmi is eager to explore topics from social justice to local governance. She's dedicated to rigorous research and crafting stories that not only inform but also inspire meaningful dialogue within communities, all while staying connected to the world of sports.
Advertisement

Latest Post


The Premier League and EFL seasons are in full swing, with clubs making final adjustments before the transfer window closes on September 1st. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds Nottingham Forest, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrat...
  • 345 views
  • 2 min

The North Zone cricket team has suffered a significant setback as their captain, Shubman Gill, is likely to miss the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 tournament. The Duleep Trophy is set to begin on August 28 in Bengaluru. Gill, who recently led India to ...
  • 115 views
  • 2 min

The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan has sparked a heated debate, with former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary expressing strong reservations about the game proceeding in light of recent events. The match is scheduled for September 1...
  • 360 views
  • 2 min

Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion, has stirred controversy by downplaying D Gukesh's recent World Championship title. While acknowledging Gukesh's victory, Kasparov questioned whether the Indian Grandmaster could be considered the stron...
  • 280 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
Coleman Wong has etched his name in Hong Kong tennis history by qualifying for the main draw of the US Open. The 21-year-old secured his place with a hard-fought victory over Britain's Billy Harris in the final round of men's qualifying. Wong's achie...
  • 529 views
  • 1 min

Florida Panthers fans received disappointing news as star forward Matthew Tkachuk is set to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NHL season following surgery. The surgery, which reportedly occurred "a few weeks ago," addresses injuries that plagued Tkac...
  • 505 views
  • 2 min

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to discontinue the services of team masseur Rajeev Kumar ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. This move marks another change in the support staff, continuing a trend of alterations within...
  • 606 views
  • 2 min

Antoine Semenyo, the Bournemouth forward, has called for stronger action against racial abuse in football, suggesting that prison sentences should be considered as a fitting punishment. His statement comes after he was allegedly targeted by a spectat...
  • 581 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement

About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 SportsBuzz360