England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, acknowledged the difficulties his team faces in adapting to the high altitude of Mexico City but expressed optimism that they are prepared to create their own legacy in the upcoming match against the World Cup co-hosts at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
This last-16 clash is one of the most highly anticipated games this summer, complicated by the challenges posed by playing at 2,240 meters above sea level, where Mexico has not suffered a defeat since 2013. After arriving on Friday evening, the team struggled to find their rhythm during Saturday’s training session.
“We feel it even if we don’t train,” Tuchel remarked. “I felt, for example, a slight headache in the hotel through the day and didn’t sleep as well as in the days before, but nothing you can’t handle. I think the players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went, they coped with it better. It’s just what it is. We cannot physically adapt, it’s just impossible, but we are here one day before to experience it at least, to not have the first experience in tomorrow’s warm-up.”
Despite the challenges, Tuchel remained optimistic, displaying confidence in England’s capacity to handle this distinctive occasion. The team is aware of the history connected to this venue, particularly the painful loss to Argentina in 1986, which has left an indelible mark on English football. However, the motivation to emerge victorious this time is substantial.
“Of course it’s painful and still hurts but we are not here for revenge, it doesn’t make sense,” Tuchel stated. “We are here to write our own chapters, the team is ready, we are in good spirits.”
All players except for Reece James participated in training at the stunning Club Universidad Nacional complex, situated in the southern part of the city and accessible only by tunnel. Tuchel mentioned the possibility of James, who has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring injury, being available for the bench, although that seems unlikely. Jarell Quansah, sidelined during the win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to an ankle issue, trained fully and is fit to play at right-back.
Another point of concern during the buildup was the peculiar uncertainty regarding the kick-off time for the match against Mexico. For a period on Friday afternoon, it appeared that the match might be rescheduled to start six hours earlier than its planned 6 PM (1 AM BST) time slot, supposedly due to severe storms forecast for the game’s vicinity. Ultimately, no changes were made, and Tuchel assured that this confusion did not affect his team, who were en route to Mexico City during the negotiations.
“It was a bit of confusion but only for me and the officials,” Tuchel explained. England’s staff were reportedly surprised by the potential change. “I’m not sure if the team was even aware. We kept it away from the players completely but as soon as we landed it was resolved. It was a good moment to be in the air for three and a half hours. Tuchel played down the hostile welcome England received at their hotel from Mexico supporters on Friday night, calling their hosts “very respectful, very emotional and very supportive of our team”
Tuchel downplayed the hostile reception his team encountered at their hotel from local fans on Friday night, describing the Mexican supporters as “I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t exist, it doesn’t feel right,” Additional security measures have been implemented to prevent a repeat of the disturbances experienced by Ecuador, Mexico’s previous opponents, earlier in the week. “The information didn’t reach me, that is not true,” he remarked.
The England manager was also questioned by a local journalist regarding outrageous rumors that the team had taken Viagra to cope with the altitude, which prompted laughter from both Tuchel and midfielder Jordan Henderson. “I guess they will try and give us a taste of intensity and heat,” Tuchel responded.
Mexico showcased their strength by overwhelming Ecuador in the first half of their 2-0 victory, and Tuchel anticipates a similarly aggressive start from the hosts. “We will have answers to that, we need to have answers, and it’s a key element of our team that we are able to find answers to any questions. I’m full of trust that we’ll do it tomorrow. It’s just an iconic match on a big stage and we feel it.” he commented.
“The group is aware of where we are,”
Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, acknowledged the need to keep his players grounded ahead of an occasion that has generated immense excitement across the country. Even veteran striker Raúl Jiménez has referred to this match as “The group knows, and every single one of my players has a smartphone and they’re on fire, so they’re pretty much aware of the euphoria and the optimism out there. “My obligation is that whenever they get too self-confident or whenever they get too ecstatic, I try to ground them.”
“The group is aware of where we are,” Aguirre stated. “The group knows, and every single one of my players has a smartphone and they’re on fire, so they’re pretty much aware of the euphoria and the optimism out there.
“My obligation is that whenever they get too self-confident or whenever they get too ecstatic, I try to ground them.”
