Why England keep winning despite Tuchel's frustrations
England fought hard to beat Norway in the World Cup quarter-final but manager Thomas Tuchel is not satisfied with their performance. He admitted, 'We made life very difficult for ourselves.'
'The result is fantastic, yet I'm not happy with how we played,' Tuchel said after the game. Despite these concerns, England's victory highlights their ongoing success. Confronting questions about this paradox, BBC Sport - World Cup reports that Tuchel is unsatisfied with his side's technical skills and momentum swings but praises the players' effort.
Key principles of Tuchel's style
Tuchel selected England based on specific playing styles. His team was expected to:
- Play deliberate passes
- Avoid defensive blocks
- Create chances down the flanks
These principles were intended to open up space and find attackers in key positions, but England struggled to implement them effectively against Norway.
Against Norway: England's attacking set-up
England attacked in a 3-2-5 shape on the ball. However, Tuchel found his players not repetitive enough, meaning fewer short passes and longer builds from the back.
In comparison, Norway defended with a solid 4-5-1 formation. England's goal showed this didn't stop them: Orjan Nyland’s long kick was played into Anthony Gordon, who ran down the flank unmarked as Norwegia struggled to cope.
The wide triangles issue
Tuchel expected his players to use their wide triangles effectively but Norway's defensive strategy proved too strong. Tuchel highlighted that England were