England are one game away from reaching their first World Cup final in 60 years, but standing between them and that opportunity is Lionel Messi.
Speaking to the media in Atlanta on Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel was asked the question everyone expected: how do you stop a player widely regarded as the greatest of his generation?
Messi has already written another chapter in his remarkable World Cup career, becoming the tournament's outright leading scorer with 21 goals after finding the net again during Argentina's run to the semi-finals. Tuchel admitted the thought of ******* igning a player to mark Messi closely had crossed his mind, but he stopped short of revealing exactly how England would approach the challenge. What makes Messi so difficult, he explained, is his ability to read situations before anyone else on the pitch.
The England manager spoke openly about the problems Messi creates. He highlighted the way the Argentine constantly works the ball onto his left foot, often creating ******* e before defenders even realise the danger is developing. Even if a team manages to shut down one aspect of his game, Tuchel acknowledged that players of Messi's calibre usually find another way to influence the match.
While much of the focus centred on Messi, Tuchel was also asked about the history between England and Argentina. The fixture has long carried extra significance, with memories stretching back to moments such as Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal in 1986. Tuchel, however, insisted his players would not be drawing motivation from the past, saying a World Cup semi-final against Argentina is big enough on its own.
Speaking to the media in Atlanta on Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel was asked the question everyone expected: how do you stop a player widely regarded as the greatest of his generation?
Messi has already written another chapter in his remarkable World Cup career, becoming the tournament's outright leading scorer with 21 goals after finding the net again during Argentina's run to the semi-finals. Tuchel admitted the thought of ******* igning a player to mark Messi closely had crossed his mind, but he stopped short of revealing exactly how England would approach the challenge. What makes Messi so difficult, he explained, is his ability to read situations before anyone else on the pitch.
The England manager spoke openly about the problems Messi creates. He highlighted the way the Argentine constantly works the ball onto his left foot, often creating ******* e before defenders even realise the danger is developing. Even if a team manages to shut down one aspect of his game, Tuchel acknowledged that players of Messi's calibre usually find another way to influence the match.
While much of the focus centred on Messi, Tuchel was also asked about the history between England and Argentina. The fixture has long carried extra significance, with memories stretching back to moments such as Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal in 1986. Tuchel, however, insisted his players would not be drawing motivation from the past, saying a World Cup semi-final against Argentina is big enough on its own.
16 days ago
