England at ‘huge disadvantage’ vs Mexico as Thomas Tuchel admits fears | Football | Sport
Thomas Tuchel is fearful about the impact of the Mexico City altitude (Image: Getty)
Thomas Tuchel insists England will be prepared for “everything” Mexico have in store during their last-16 World Cup clash at the Azteca Stadium, which is situated 2,200 metres above sea level. After his Three Lions side managed a dramatic 2-1 knockout win over DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane’s late brace, said: “It is maybe one of the most beautiful and exciting fixtures that you can have against Mexico in the Azteca and there will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us.
“Not to mention the altitude will be of course a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it and in four days it’s just impossible. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. We need it, maybe we have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that. When the going gets tough, we will find the answers.”
While it’s humid in Atlanta, Tuchel is mindful that the heat won’t compare to Mexico City. When asked if his side will do any specific training to prepare for the conditions Tuchel added: “It’s not possible. Of course, it’s brutally hot outside but you’re right, we were glad to play indoors today.
“We came very early to the country, we came very early to the US, and banked good heat training into our bodies. That was basically the idea behind to acclimatise, so the players have a lot of heat training already in their bodies, that would help them.
“So I think the heat and the humidity will not be the problem for us, we are used to that from training times, and we are used to it from our prep camp in Florida. My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude, that is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time.
“We have only three days between this match, it’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude, which is quite high. We knew that before. So this is just a disadvantage with which we will have to deal, and I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that, and from there we go.”
Captain Kane basked in his glory after rescuing England with a breathtaking late double to defeat DR Congo. The talismanic Three Lions skipper’s brace – his 71st and 72nd goals of the season for club and country – set up a thrilling match-up against hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium.
Kane said: “It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. The keeper made some unbelievable saves. But keep going and the moments would come. Whoever it is, we have hero moments.
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Harry Kane scored a brace to put England into the round of 16 (Image: Getty)
“You have to stay patient in these games. The last couple of games were very similar. The pressure is higher. But it’s about being ourselves.”
The Bayern Munich superstar took matters into his own hands by calling for a player-only huddle following the full-time whistle. He delivered a passionate and heartfelt speech after steering England away from what could have been their most humiliating World Cup exit in history.
Kane continued: “From an attacking point of view, it’s the best performance so far. We are in the part of the tournament where we have to grind wins out.
“I just told the boys to enjoy it. Sometimes as an England player, you don’t celebrate how you should. The same as every other nation, we’re through – enjoy it. Over the 90 minutes, we’re tough to handle.”
Meanwhile, Tuchel joked: “It’s what we expect from him! It’s what he expects from himself. Difficult matches, close matches – Harry’s here to decide them. Top level.
“If everyone gets what they like, we get an early goal, another goal, an easy afternoon. You have to deal with each situation that comes. They got a very early goal.
“After the water break, we had four or five opportunities. The penalty situation didn’t go in our favour. We kept knocking, knocking and knocking. The reaction and belief is one of a kind. We found a way to win. Well deserved.”
Declan Rice was equally full of praise for Kane’s lethal instinct in front of goal, saying: “He’s going to get chances. If you give him a chance it’s a goal, I think personally. I’ve seen it too many times.
“It’s ridiculous the goals he scores and how he scores them. His whole mentality around scoring, 72 for the season now, it’s just ridiculous, so credit to him.”
