Mexico vs England World Cup final 16: Thomas Tuchel faces one other right-back dilemma as Azteca awaits

England will face their greatest take a look at of the World Cup to this point once they tackle Mexico on the Azteca Stadium.

Mexico boast a frightening report on the Azteca with simply two defeats from 89 matches, whereas one other choice headache awaits Thomas Tuchel at right-back. The match has additionally been overshadowed by kick-off time confusion, with the sport nonetheless set to start out at 1am UK time on Monday.

Sky Sports activities’ Rob Dorsett previews the last-16 conflict from Mexico Metropolis…

The excellent news for England going into their last-16 tie on the World Cup is that Mexico will come out and assault them. The dangerous information for England going into their last-16 tie on the World Cup is that Mexico will come out and assault them…

That’s the conundrum dealing with Thomas Tuchel as he prepares his tactical plan. How a lot does he attempt to meet fireplace with fireplace, enjoying on the entrance foot, and the way a lot does he attempt to defend a again 4 which has already proven on this event that it’s fallible?

The statistics will inform you that, of the edges left within the event, England have the third lowest xG towards them with 2.3 over the 4 matches. However that does not move the sniff take a look at. England have appeared far more weak than that.

Going ahead England have struggled when confronted with a low block. Suppose Ghana and – for an hour – Panama. When Croatia got here out positively and tried to assault England, Tuchel’s males performed a few of the most enjoyable, attacking soccer we’ve got seen from the nationwide group for a few years. They scored 4 targets. Cue the primary transferring rendition of Wonderwall.

However England additionally conceded two in that opening World Cup match, and defensively they’ve conceded area and possibilities aplenty to every of the 4 sides they’ve performed. Consequently, England discover themselves on one thing of a knife edge: wanting, daring Mexico to assault them, however fearing once they do this the weakest a part of their facet is perhaps uncovered.

Tuchel can’t deal with this as simply one other soccer match, analysing the relative strengths and weaknesses of every facet. England are usually not simply enjoying 11 opponents, they’re arising towards the desire and keenness of a complete nation, which might be channelled from the mighty, steep stands within the Azteca Stadium. England’s assist – so typically the bulk in worldwide matches away from dwelling – might be outnumbered eight-to-one.

The Azteca itself has been particularly designed to be as hostile and unsettling as potential for away groups. When the England group bus drives as much as the stadium on matchday, the street system forces it to drive round virtually your complete perimeter in order that the gamers are left in little question in regards to the scale of the venue and the ferocity of its inhabitants. Likewise, the stroll from the group bus to the altering rooms is lengthy and uncovered, so that after the gamers are out within the open, they really feel the complete pressure of the animosity.

Speaking to sources with expertise of matchdays at this iconic stadium, the very best tactic appears to be to attempt to climate Mexico’s preliminary storm early within the sport after which later, attempt to impose your self in assault. The significance of the primary 15-20 minutes on Sunday can’t be overstated, they are saying, however the hope is that whereas Mexico’s beginning fireplace burns very brightly, it will possibly then steadily burn itself out if it would not have the gasoline from a aim.

One commentator used the analogy of a boxing match – Mexico will come out swinging, but when they do not land sufficient blows within the first few rounds, they are going to in all probability punch themselves out.

There isn’t a doubt that, man for man, England are higher than Mexico. Would any of the Mexican gamers get into Tuchel’s beginning XI? In all probability not. Though after England misplaced three right-backs by means of damage, perhaps the 2 Mexican defenders who’ve performed there throughout the event to this point, would have a shout – Israel Reyes and Jorge Sánchez.

England’s right-back place is by far the best concern for Tuchel, because it has been all through the event. Tino Livramento left, Reece James is sidelined indefinitely, Jarrell Quansah hasn’t skilled and is an actual doubt. In an unlucky coincidence, Mexico’s greatest menace is Julián Quiñones, who performs on the left wing and has three targets already within the event.

Due to that, it’s potential that England may determine to play Declan Rice within the right-back place to attempt to nullify the menace. Attainable, as a result of it was Tuchel’s assistant, Anthony Barry who got here up with that concept late on within the win over DR Congo when Djed Spence was substituted. Spence did not have an damage. England’s coaches had been simply anxious that he was being overwhelmed on the proper flank. In making that transfer, Rice turned the fifth completely different right-back England have used within the 4 matches of this event.

Rice is not a pure right-back. The final time he performed there for Arsenal was throughout an unsuccessful 20-minute stint towards West Ham in Could, when Arteta’s facet received narrowly 1-0. The Arsenal boss switched Rice again into midfield when he realised how a lot his group had suffered within the centre of the pitch in his absence.

That is not a lot of a priority for Tuchel. England have very ready options, particularly with doubts over Rice’s health. When Jude Bellingham deputised for Rice towards Panama, dropping deep when England did not have the ball, he was man-of-the-match and was statistically each the very best attacker and defender on the pitch. Bellingham may comfortably fulfil that position once more towards Mexico, with Morgan Rogers or Ebere Eze coming in at No 10.

Past the controversy about right-back and central midfield, there are unlikely to be many extra modifications for England from the facet that ultimately noticed off DR Congo. Anthony Gordon’s spectacular substitute efficiency – offering two assists for Harry Kane’s two targets – means it is going to be a purely tactical resolution for Tuchel whether or not the Barcelona man or Marcus Rashford begins the sport.

Tuchel’s delineation of the squad into starters and finishers has by no means been extra necessary than for this sport. The starters is perhaps designed to nullify the Mexico group and quieten the Mexican crowd. The finishers, he hopes, would be the guys who attempt to win the sport for England.

And in the event that they do this, they are going to be part of a particularly small and unique record of countries to have received on the Azteca Stadium.