England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at 8pm in Atlanta; Thomas Tuchel says the challenge of the world champions and their captain Lionel Messi will draw a better performance out of Three Lions after quarter-final win over Norway.
Thomas Tuchel believes the challenge of Argentina and Lionel Messi will bring the best out of his England side.
The old rivals are set for an epic contest in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with the winner facing Spain in Sunday’s final.
Tuchel was critical of the football his team produced in their quarter-final extra-time win over Norway but expects a better performance against Argentina.
“We had too many technical errors in our last match that hold us back from finding a rhythm,” explained Tuchel. “We were rushed in our decision making, not patient enough or disciplined enough and it cost us our rhythm.
We improved in the tournament in defending and defending as a team. This is something we need at the highest level [against Argentina].
“The acceleration, combined with technical execution, has to be at a higher level. A set-up like [from Argentina] will bring the best out of us and the best out of our players.”
On the size of the occasion and the opportunity at stake, Tuchel added: “We know we are here, we were never shy of expecting that from us and dreaming it.
Tuchel: We cannot say it is just another match
When asked about the history of the England-Argentina fixture, Tuchel conceded the game carried special meaning – even beyond being a World Cup semi-final. However, he insists past events will not be a distraction.
“I would say it’s irrelevant but I am not sure,” he said. “The players are aware of what it means to them. If a fixture has iconic moments, you cannot say it is just another football match.
“We don’t speak, me and my team, about the historic events. The tension is big enough.
“We try to reduce information the bigger the stage gets and the bigger the tension. The magnitude of the game is what it is, it does not help if we engage.”
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