When Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, the foundation of that achievement hinged on steadfast defensive discipline and solid midfield control. However, five years later, Tuchel’s England displayed a concerning absence of these attributes during a lackluster first half in Dallas. They repeatedly lost possession in critical areas, struggled to maintain their defensive shape, and faltered as Croatia equalized right before the break.
The atmosphere surrounding the team was hardly reassuring. Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s assistant, expressed his frustration in an ITV interview, criticizing the squad for their disorganization and “nervous energy,” which made their game “confused and complicated” against well-prepared Croatian opponents.
Despite the shaky performance, England salvaged a victory in the second half, showcasing a remarkable turnaround. Barry’s concerns were surely echoed with even more intensity by Tuchel in the locker room. While the team won their opening match in Group L, bolstered by a spectacular goal from Jude Bellingham and a late strike from Marcus Rashford, the overall display left much to be desired.
During the first half, England’s attack struggled to find its rhythm, and their pressing game fell apart. The gaps between Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice in midfield were too vast. Although there was improvement after halftime, it became clear that if England intends to contend for the World Cup, they cannot afford to defend so poorly against formidable teams like Brazil in a potential quarter-final.
As the tournament commenced, much attention was drawn to the star forwards, with Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé making headlines. The stage was set for Harry Kane to shine on Wednesday, and he did just that, netting two goals: one from a retaken penalty and another with a header from a corner. Nevertheless, England’s prowess on set pieces could not overshadow the glaring structural issues, as Croatia executed smoother football in the first half and took advantage of defensive lapses to score two stunning goals from open play.
Defensive jitters emerged early, with England’s attempts to build from the back resulting in a corner conceded by Nico O’Reilly and John Stones. Croatia’s pressing caught England off guard, leading to frequent turnovers that exposed the back four. It was a misplaced pass by Bellingham in midfield that allowed Martin Baturina to find the net for Croatia’s opening goal.
Tuchel’s predicament lies in the reality that a solid defense is crucial for tournament success. While England can match some teams in an attacking duel, it seems unlikely they can maintain that against the elite. This evidence suggests that Tuchel’s primary focus ahead of the match against Ghana next week must be fortifying the defense. The scoreline may indicate success, but England was fortunate to escape with the win. After Bellingham’s goal made it 3-2, Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic was forced into several saves, and the opposition had opportunities to level the match before Rashford sealed the victory.
It should be acknowledged that Croatia boasts dangerous forwards and is a formidable tournament team. Overcoming them is no simple feat, and Tuchel is astute enough not to overlook the defensive vulnerabilities. They might also hope some midfield issues were due to Rice, who joined the squad late after the Champions League and appeared fatigued before being substituted in the second half. However, improving Rice’s fitness will be simpler than justifying Tuchel’s continued trust in Stones. The former Manchester City defender has had limited playtime recently and struggled both on and off the ball during his 87 minutes on the pitch, getting easily turned by Petar Sucic, who assisted Baturina’s goal from distance.
This is not a hallmark England defense. O’Reilly made his debut and was targeted at left-back, while Reece James faced difficulties on the opposite flank, and Ezri Konsa struggled beside Stones. Croatia’s second goal, crafted by Ivan Perisic and finished by Petar Musa, exposed James and Konsa’s positional shortcomings.
Harry Maguire will likely have comments to make on his next podcast. Given the options at Tuchel’s disposal, it might be prudent to replace Stones with Marc Guéhi against Ghana. These defensive lapses were anticipated; Stones has served England well, but his playing time needs careful management, and he was outmaneuvered by Ollie Watkins in a recent match against Aston Villa.
A win is still a win, but not entirely. Although England is virtually assured of advancing to the last 32, Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland will undoubtedly relish the prospect of facing Tuchel’s defense.
