Thomas Tuchel has considered using an old-school man-marking plan against Lionel Messi as England prepare to face Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that England have considered using an “old-school” man-marking plan against Lionel Messi in their World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
England are up against the reigning champions for a spot in Sunday’s final against Spain, and once again, Messi has been at the heart of Argentina’s run.
Tuchel called Messi’s campaign 'absolutely incredible' and pointed to his movement and quick thinking as the main puzzles England need to solve.
When asked if England might go zonal or stick one player on Messi, Tuchel admitted the idea of a more direct approach had definitely crossed his mind.
“I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old-school man-mark,” Tuchel said.
“Not sure if we follow through with this idea, but it crossed my mind.”
Messi keeps finding pockets of space in central areas, often drifting away from Argentina’s front line before linking up with the runners around him.
Tuchel thinks England have spotted some patterns in where the 39-year-old likes to pick up the ball, but he also knows that shutting down those spaces might just see Messi find another way to get involved.
“If you analyse the matches, you feel like he sees stuff just earlier than anyone else on the field,” he added.
“The ball drops to him, he finds the gap, he makes himself this two-metre space for his left foot and then executes the solution on the very highest level.
“I think we found some patterns in that game, of course, but if you close the patterns, he will maybe find a new one and create a new one. That’s his super strength.”
But Messi isn’t the only danger England will have to deal with.
Tuchel also highlighted Argentina’s experience, their togetherness, and the way they play through the middle. The holders have kept much of the core that lifted the trophy four years ago.
He dismissed any talk of Argentina looking weak or vulnerable at this tournament, arguing that their knack for coming through tough spells is actually a sign of their strength.
“They have the mentality. They have the togetherness. They don’t panic when they’re behind,” he said.
“They’re a very, very competitive group. They have high-quality players, very experienced players in every position. They love to play through the middle. They can defend hard. For me, it’s the full package.”
Even so, England plan to play their own game in the semi-final, rather than letting Messi dictate everything they do.
Tuchel is expecting an intense, emotional contest with plenty of swings in momentum, but he doesn’t want his players getting caught up in the history between the two countries.
The Three Lions are chasing their first men’s World Cup final since 1966, but Tuchel says he doesn’t feel weighed down by that history. He describes his squad as hungry, not just happy to be in the last four.
Tuchel confirmed that Declan Rice is available to start, with all of England’s available players taking part in training.
“Everyone is fit to start,” he said, before clarifying that Terrell is suspended and Jordan Henderson did not train.
Asked specifically about Rice, Tuchel added: “He’s ready to start and as good recovered as possible.”
Tuchel admitted England made too many technical mistakes last time out, and says their build-up, positional discipline and decision-making all need to be sharper against Argentina.
But he expects the size of the occasion to bring even more out of his players.
England are now one victory away from their first men’s World Cup final in 60 years, with Spain waiting for the winners. Tuchel’s side will have to contain the tournament’s outstanding individual figure, but the head coach is determined that their approach will be defined by England’s own strengths rather than the history surrounding the fixture or the scale of Messi’s reputation.
