When the Football Association rolled out the red carpet (and a deafening drum-and-bass track) for Thomas Tuchel at Wembley, expectations were sky-high. A giant banner welcomed the German coach to the “Home of Football,” but when it was finally time for his first match in charge, Tuchel strolled onto the touchline like he was just there to borrow a cup of sugar.
Tuchel’s England era kicked off with a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania, but if fans were expecting fireworks, they might have been left holding a sparkler. In a game where the opposition showed about as much ambition as a cat on a sunny windowsill, England got the job done without truly dazzling.
The Formation: Same Wine, New Bottle?
Tuchel opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Phil Foden on the right and Marcus Rashford on the left. The result? A performance that struggled to break the mold of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. Tuchel acknowledged the need for improvement, noting, “We hope for more impact in these positions.” Translation: He wants Foden and Rashford to put down the invisibility cloaks.
However, there was one sparkling debut that lifted spirits — Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. At just 18 years and 176 days old, he became the youngest player to score on his senior England debut. If that doesn’t get you trending on social media, nothing will.
Dan Burn: From Newcastle to Nearly a National Hero
In another nod to Tuchel’s preference for physicality, 6ft 7in Dan Burn made his debut at 32 years old. He almost repeated his Carabao Cup final heroics with a thumping header against the bar. But let’s face it — he probably didn’t make Tuchel’s squad for his speed.
Burn did have a nervy moment when Albania’s Armando Broja turned him inside out late on, but hey, who among us hasn’t been humbled once or twice?
Intensity, Interaction & Arm-Waving: Tuchel’s Touchline Tales
Tuchel’s body language gave away his priorities. He applauded furiously when England pressed high, forcing errors from Albania. This was the intensity he promised, albeit in short bursts. When Lewis-Skelly scored from a delicious Jude Bellingham pass, Tuchel celebrated with a fist pump and a big grin before immediately turning to bark instructions at Jordan Pickford. No time for sentimental hugs here.
One charming detail? Tuchel was introduced to Wembley’s modern tradition of paper airplanes during quiet spells. One landed near him around the 33rd minute. If he keeps his intensity high, though, there might be fewer boring stretches ahead.
Work in Progress or More of the Same?
England enjoyed 74.2% possession, had 34 touches in Albania’s box, and won the ball back in the final third four times. Decent stats, but not much different from interim boss Lee Carsley’s last game against Ireland. It might be early days, but fans will want to see more than a photocopy of the Southgate era.
Tuchel’s emphasis on team “interactions” — essentially high-fives and words of encouragement — was another interesting focus. He presented data showing how these interactions dropped significantly in the second half of the Euro 2024 final against Spain, correlating with England’s collapse. It seems Tuchel wants to turn England into a team where everyone is everyone’s biggest cheerleader.
Final Thoughts: Winning Ugly is Still Winning
Tuchel’s first game wasn’t a rollercoaster; it was more like a slow drive through the countryside. But a win is a win, and that’s what he’s been hired to deliver. There are glimpses of what he wants — intensity, high pressing, and a bit of tactical flexibility — but it’s going to take time to evolve.
For now, it’s job done. But if Tuchel is serious about shaking things up, he might need to trade in ‘low-key’ for ‘all-out chaos’ before the next big test.
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