Tuchel urges England’s forwards to unleash relentless attacking play against underdogs Andorra

As England prepares to face Andorra in their World Cup qualifying match, they are viewed as clear favourites; however, coach Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that the players may struggle to sustain high-energy attacking play following a long and demanding season.

Currently, England sits atop Group K with a flawless record from two matches, while Andorra languishes at the bottom following two defeats, as they gear up for Saturday’s encounter in Barcelona.

Tuchel expressed that England is fully devoted to securing a comfortable victory in the qualifier, yet he cautioned fans against anticipating a relentless assault from the outset.

“It’s up to us to initiate the game, maintain a high tempo, and bring attacking energy to the pitch in a consistent manner,” Tuchel conveyed to the press.

“I completely understand that this time of year can be tough for an international break. The players have just come off a long and exhausting season, and accepting the responsibility to dictate the flow of the game can indeed be demanding.”

“Nonetheless, I sense that the group is excited to be here. We are still relatively new to working together, this being our second camp, and I believe we will do what is necessary to achieve the desired result.”

Tuchel noted that England welcomes their status as strong favourites and intends to field an attacking squad that will control possession, while he is not inclined to use this match as a platform for experimenting with new players.

“Our focus will centre on our attacking strategies, our desire, and our response following losses of possession, specifically in our counter-pressing,” he added.

“These elements will be the primary focus for tomorrow and will guide and shape our tactics.”

“My considerations aren’t so much about who we can experiment with, but rather about the game plan established over the past two days and the players who train well… After a lengthy season, we look to pair those who show a connection on the pitch.”

Having done his research on Andorra, Tuchel characterised the European underdogs as a well-organised, disciplined team operating in a 5-4-1 formation.

“They are adept at limiting high-quality chances,” the German coach remarked.

“Thus, we need to strike a balance between patience and injecting pace into our play, ensuring we maintain our focus throughout the match.”