England needs to demonstrate their worth in the Serbia match: Tuchel's assessment
Thomas Tuchel's England team is gearing up for a challenging encounter against Serbia in their next World Cup 2026 qualifying match, scheduled for Tuesday. The match will take place in Belgrade, with England currently leading Group K.
The upcoming fixture follows a 2-0 victory over Albania and a 3-0 triumph against Latvia, marking England's fourth consecutive qualifying win. However, the team has experienced a few setbacks, suffering a 1-0 loss against Andorra in June and a 3-1 defeat against Senegal in a friendly in Nottingham.
Despite England's erratic form since Tuchel's appointment, the German coach is convinced they are making progress. He expressed a desire for a more purposeful performance in the upcoming match, emphasizing the need to "prove a point, to win and put out the next performance, and to be tough in the circumstances."
Tuchel praised Elliot Anderson, a Nottingham Forest midfielder, for his composed debut performance. Christian Garcia, on the other hand, scored an own goal in the match at Villa Park, but Tuchel believes there are still things to improve.
The coach also highlighted the physical playing style and direct approach by Serbia's high-quality forwards, making the match a potential test for England's resilience. Tuchel aims to prove the team's readiness for challenges and adapt to the physicality required in the match.
Declan Rice scored a header after the interval in the previous match, a positive sign for the team's attacking prowess. Tuchel considers the performance as a good one and a deserved result, and he is under pressure to build a team with a clear identity and sense of purpose before the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
As England prepares to face their main Group K rivals, Tuchel hopes to secure another win, continuing their journey towards their first major trophy since 1966 with an attacking style. The team is determined to demonstrate their progress and resilience, making the upcoming match against Serbia an exciting prospect for football fans.
