Thomas Tuchel Questions England’s Commitment and Performance Against Andorra

Thomas Tuchel expressed disappointment with the mindset of the England players, highlighting a notable “lack of seriousness” following their unimpressive 1-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday evening.

The match remained scoreless at halftime, with Andorra, currently ranked 173rd in the world, holding firm until Harry Kane’s fortunate goal in the 50th minute ultimately clinched the win for England during the World Cup qualifier.

Despite a lineup featuring Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Reece James, England struggled to create significant chances and flow during the game. Tuchel criticized his team’s performance after the opening 25 minutes, declaring they were “not good enough” and displayed a “lack of quality” and energy, concerns he conveyed to the players in the locker room post-match.

“I was not pleased with the attitude, particularly how we concluded the game,” Tuchel remarked. “The first 25 minutes were solid, but the latter stages were lacking. We did not exhibit the seriousness and urgency required in a World Cup qualifier. We played dangerously. The body language towards the end was also disappointing; it didn’t reflect the significance of the occasion.”

Although England concluded the match with ten shots on target compared to Andorra’s none, the narrow scoreline meant the home side was always in contention, especially when Guillaume López came close to equalizing in the 76th minute, during a period where England seemed to lose their direction.

“It was reminiscent of a cup match where the favored team fails to recognize the impending threat,” Tuchel commented. “Such encounters can become tricky if you don’t score again. It is crucial to maintain composure, keep your energy up, and execute the fundamentals correctly.

“After 25 minutes, I sensed frustration over minor details, leading to changes in approach that slowed the game down. The final third saw reduced movement aimed at penetrating the box; players were seeking the ball at their feet rather than increasing pace with runs. Continuous movement and counter-movements are essential to our attack.”

Playing in the mostly empty RCDE Stadium, which is home to Espanyol, England’s traveling supporters expressed their dissatisfaction by booing at halftime. Tuchel acknowledged the fans’ feelings, stating, “The booing is understandable. Their support was remarkable, creating a fantastic atmosphere for such a match.”

“Upon my arrival, I felt the excitement generated by their presence, yet their disappointment with our performance was valid, especially regarding how the first half ended. We cannot blame them for their reaction.”

As the season winds down and with the Club World Cup approaching for some squad members, England appeared to lack both energy and enthusiasm. However, Tuchel refrained from attributing this to the congested schedule. The team’s next matchup is against Senegal in a friendly at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on Tuesday.

“We have to accept the situation as it is, with no excuses,” Tuchel stated. “Yet, acknowledging our energy and quality shortfalls at critical moments, especially at the ends of both halves, is essential. We expect to perform better and will aim to learn from this experience for improvements moving forward.”