Tuchel says Czech Republic game ‘not yet a must-win’

PRAGUE – England coach Thomas Tuchel said on Sept 28 the upcoming Nations League game against the Czech Republic in Prague was “not yet a must-win” despite a 3-2 loss to Spain last weekend.

Reigning world champions Spain came back from 2-1 down in an entertaining Group A3 opener at Wembley on Sept 26, denting England’s hopes of reaching their second Nations League semi-final.

“It’s a bit early in the group for a must-win,” Tuchel, who led England to the third spot at the World Cup, told reporters in Prague.

“In general we always arrive at every match and prepare the team with a target to win... it was the target against Spain and it’s the target tomorrow.

“You always need a result in football to get confidence and to get the support and to get the belief you always need. Especially after a defeat.”

He said he expected a tough opposition from the Czechs who had hired their first-ever foreign coach, Santi Denia of Spain, in the summer after finishing last in their World Cup group.

The Czechs also got off to a stumbling start in the other Group A3 game on Sept 26 as they lost to Croatia 2-1 at home despite showing some improvement to their game under the new coach.

“We respect the opposition, we respect the quality, we respect the challenge that it brings if you play in Prague against Czechia,” said Tuchel.

The former Chelsea manager said Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly, who both started against Spain, had “minor issues” that may rule them out on Sept 29.

“Ideally I would love to put the same team out there, but I need to speak with doctors, physios and the players themselves,” said the German coach.

“My mindset before the camp was to not rotate too much. But we will always be very considerate with the health of the players.”

The Three Lions have only reached a Nations League semi-final once out of three editions and were even relegated to the second tier in the 2022/23 campaign.

The Czechs have not lost any of their last four home games against England, and they won the last encounter 2-1 in a Euro 2020 qualifier in Prague in 2019.

But they will face a mammoth task as a team in the making under Denia, who had guided Spain to 2024 Olympic gold.

Hailing England as “one of the best teams in the world”, Denia said the hosts would focus on their game.

“We are focused on our development to improve our performance and to improve our details with our team,” Denia said. AFP