Following England's narrow 1-0 victory over Andorra in a World Cup qualifier held in Barcelona, manager Thomas Tuchel has openly criticized his team's lackluster performance and, more specifically, their attitude on the pitch. Despite securing three points and maintaining a perfect start to their World Cup qualification campaign, Tuchel expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the team's display was far below the expected standards.
Tuchel's main concern stemmed from what he perceived as a lack of urgency, energy, and determination from his players, particularly in the latter stages of the match. He noted that after a promising first 25 minutes, the team's rhythm and intensity waned, leading to a noticeable drop in the quality of their passing, finishing, and decision-making. The German coach didn't hold back in his assessment, stating that he "didn't like the attitude with which we ended this game," and that it "did not match the occasion" of a World Cup qualifier.
The England manager also highlighted a lack of seriousness and urgency within the team. He felt that his players "played with fire" and didn't demonstrate the awareness needed when holding a slender 1-0 lead in a crucial qualifying match. He admitted feeling as though his team believed that the game was won after scoring the first goal. Tuchel stated he didn't sense the required urgency and seriousness from his team and conveyed his concerns directly to the players in the dressing room.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane echoed Tuchel's sentiments, accusing some England players of appearing "bored" during the second half. Keane emphasized the need for players to impress the new manager and criticized their lack of clinical edge in front of goal. Keane said that the attitude of the players, particularly in the second half, was not great. He added that when he sees players getting bored, he does not like to see that.
Despite the widespread criticism, Tuchel did offer some praise for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, whose performance he described as a "bright point" in an otherwise underwhelming display. Tuchel acknowledged Madueke's hunger and desire to execute the team's plan, suggesting that he was one of the few players who consistently posed a threat throughout the match.
Looking ahead, Tuchel has made it clear that he expects a significant improvement in England's performance in their upcoming friendly against Senegal. He emphasized the need to address the issues identified in the Andorra match and ensure that the team approaches future games with the right attitude, energy, and determination. The England manager said that the team needs to look at the match in detail and do better on Tuesday.