“We need a complete performance”: Tuchel studies Spain’s defence before Wembley test
· Yahoo Sports
“We need a complete performance,” England head coach Thomas Tuchel said ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Nations League opener against Spain, identifying the visitors’ defending as a central challenge at Wembley.
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The world and European champions’ command of possession has dominated discussion before the game. Tuchel’s assessment extended to their ability to stop opponents creating chances, with England beginning their first international window since the World Cup.
He praised the organisation of Luis de la Fuente’s side without the ball. Spain, he explained, slow opposing attacks and steer play towards the touchline, where their collective pressure makes progress difficult. Their goalkeepers benefit from a structure that restricts the dangerous situations they face.
England’s preparations have covered each phase of that challenge. Tuchel said the squad had worked separately on defending, building attacks in their own half and attacking in opposition territory during the week.
He wanted to learn from Spain while developing England’s strengths. Direct play, carrying the ball forward, physicality and set-pieces remained central to his approach, alongside an ambition to press high up the pitch.
The timing of that pressure would be important against opponents comfortable circulating possession until gaps appeared.
“We need to pick our moments when to press,” Tuchel said.
He warned that chasing the ball at the wrong moment could drain energy and leave England exposed. There would be periods when Spain forced them to defend, and improving their organisation in a middle or deeper block was part of making the team more complete.
Tuchel nevertheless wanted England to impose themselves whenever possible. He viewed the fixture as an opportunity to demonstrate progress against elite opposition, following their meetings with Argentina and France in the closing stages of the World Cup.
There was no early confirmation of his starting XI. Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was competing with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah at right-back, with Tuchel encouraged by Alexander-Arnold’s training. Everton midfielder James Garner could also cover the position, although his main role remained in central midfield.
England have lost Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento to injury withdrawals. Garner and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White were called up as replacements.
The Spain fixture opens a run of four matches in 11 days. Tuchel criticised the demands of the schedule following a long summer tournament, but indicated that he preferred continuity across the window, with changes guided by the players’ health.
He also made clear that England intended to compete for the Nations League title. Reaching the quarter-finals and then the final four would provide further matches against strong opposition, while helping the squad prepare for EURO 2028.
England host Spain at Wembley on Saturday 26 September, with kick-off at 19:45 BST.