England suffered yet another World Cup disappointment at the hands of Argentina, 2-1, on Wednesday in Atlanta. However, head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed “no regrets” over the strategy that led them there.
After controlling much of the early play and taking a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute, England seemingly went into a shell, attempting to pack the back end and protect its lead while losing the aggressiveness that got it the lead in the first place.
Argentina scored twice in the closing moments of the game, in the 85th and 92nd minutes.
“You can discuss this with a million coaches (but) I have to make a decision on the pitch,” Tuchel told the BBC. “I analyzed the match and I did it a certain way so that’s my responsibility. In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close.
“It’s not the moment to analyze the full tournament, we just went out because we lost a crucial match.”
In addition to adopting a more defensive posture, England’s late substitutions were also defensive in nature. In the 72nd minute, goalscorer Anthony Gordon was subbed out for defender Ezri Konsa.
On the broadcast after the game, Tuchel defended the strategy and the substitutions.
“We went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air because straight after our goal, with no substitutions, we just conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances,” he said. “We tried to help but of course, the responsibility is on the coach and if it doesn’t go well, it’s easy to say it was wrong.”
