Thomas Tuchel has declared he feels no burden of history as he aims to guide England to their first World Cup final in 60 years by overcoming Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday. Led by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have each scored six goals in the tournament, England is poised for a significant clash with Argentina, whose squad features the legendary Lionel Messi at 39 years old. Despite the fixture's storied past, including Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal in 1986, Tuchel remains focused on the present, emphasizing the players' competitiveness and excitement. The England squad, with Declan Rice fit to play after illness, is determined to rise to the occasion against an experienced Argentine side.
Tuchel, formerly of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, addressed reporters in Atlanta, stating, "I don't feel a burden. We feel the tension and will be nervous but that is normal. What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this match." He highlighted the iconic nature of the fixture, noting the historic matches and moments that have defined the rivalry. However, Tuchel asserted that he would not use the rivalry as "fuel" but rather focus on what his team can control.
The German coach praised the cohesion and experience of the Argentine squad, acknowledging the challenge posed by Messi and the team's seasoned head coach. Despite Argentina's arduous path to the semi-finals, England has also faced tough opponents, including DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway. Tuchel expressed his excitement for the match, stating, "We will prepare for the best version of Argentina -- we expect and demand the best of ourselves. We have not peaked yet but tomorrow's match will bring the best out of us and we are excited."
