Former England players Matt Upson and Leon Osman dive into England's 2-0 victory over Albania under new coach Thomas Tuchel. They discuss the challenges of integrating a new manager and the team's need for urgency in World Cup qualifiers. Highlights include an emotional chat with debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly about his first international goal, and reflections on the balance between effective game management and entertaining performances. The conversation also touches on Manchester City's dominance and the evolving landscape of football coaching.
Thomas Tuchel's debut as England coach resulted in a controlled 2-0 victory over Albania, emphasizing the need for more urgency in qualifying matches.
Debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly's contribution, including a goal, illustrates the potential of integrating young talent into the national team for future success.
Deep dives
England's Performance Under Tuchel
England began their World Cup qualifying campaign under new coach Thomas Tuchel with a 2-0 victory against Albania. The match was characterized as neither exhilarating nor disappointing, reflecting a controlled and somewhat flat performance against a weaker opponent. Despite dominating possession and efforts on goal, England struggled to maintain high energy, leading to a game that lacked excitement and memorable moments. Tuchel's experience in managing this type of game is seen as invaluable, as he will learn what adjustments are needed to elevate the team in future matches.
Jeopardy and Urgency in Tournament Football
The match highlighted the concept of 'jeopardy' in tournament football, which adds urgency and excitement not present in qualification games. Analysts noted that with little risk of failure in qualifying, players may not exhibit the same drive to push for more goals once in the lead. The challenge for England is to create their own urgency on the pitch, even when ahead by a goal against defensively set-up teams. This lack of jeopardy could lead to a more conservative playing style, as seen in their controlled approach to manage the game rather than chase additional goals.
Emerging Talents and Future Prospects
Young players like Miles Lewis Skelly made significant contributions to England's success, showcasing their potential in a highly pressurized environment. Skelly's performance on his debut, including scoring a goal, highlights the value of integrating fresh talent into the national team. Both he and others such as Esri Konsa displayed maturity and composure, which bodes well for England's defensive prospects moving forward. The team's depth, especially in positions previously under scrutiny, suggests that England has a promising future as they prepare for upcoming tournaments.
BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this week:
Sat 22 Mar - 19:15 - Wales v Kazakhstan in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers on 5 Sports Extra
Sun 23 Mar - 14:30 - Manchester City v Chelsea in the Women's Super League on 5 Live
Mon 24 Mar - 19:45 - England v Latvia in the World Cup qualifiers on 5 Live
Tue 25 Mar - 19:00 - North Macedonia v Wales in the World Cup qualifiers on 5 Sports Extra
Wed 26 Mar - 20:00 - Arsenal v Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League on 5 Live
Thu 27 Mar - 20:00 - Chelsea v Manchester City in the Women's Champions League on 5 Live
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