Thomas Tuchel Nilai Penundaan Laga Beri Dampak Positif bagi Inggris

Manajer tim nasional Inggris Thomas Tuchel menilai penundaan jadwal pertandingan uji coba melawan Kosta Rika akibat cuaca buruk di Orlando, Amerika Serikat, memberikan dampak positif bagi kesiapan mental skuadnya menjelang Piala Dunia 2026.

Pengalaman menghadapi situasi tidak terduga tersebut dianggap menjadi simulasi yang baik bagi para pemain sebelum turnamen resmi dimulai.

"It gives us a little bit of taste of what can happen in the tournament … we were aware of that before … now we experience it, it’s no problem … should not be an excuse to lose our mood or patience or hunger to play the game … no problem at all." kata Thomas Tuchel kepada ITV.

Selain masalah mental bertanding, kondisi lapangan di Stadion Inter&Co juga menjadi perhatian tim pelatih setelah diguyur hujan deras.

"The pitch seemed surprisingly dry for the amount of water that came down … they know what they are doing … it seems good to play." ujar Thomas Tuchel.

Kondisi fisik para pemain turut menunjukkan grafik peningkatan yang signifikan berdasarkan hasil pemeriksaan medis berkala selama masa adaptasi cuaca.

"We can see we have made progress when we checked the blood and sweat of the players … acclimatisation is there … we are getting fitter and fitter … now it is on the team to put a good performance." tutur Thomas Tuchel.

Dalam laga ini, Tuchel menurunkan komposisi pemain kuat termasuk menguji kolaborasi lini tengah dan depan yang baru pertama kali dimainkan bersama sejak menit awal.

"It’s a very strong line-up … we have very strong players on the bench … we are taking the next step … pushing the boundaries … stepping up intensity … off the ball and with the ball … see what we are able to produce … it is the first time [Jude Bellingham] has played with Harry [Kane], Declan [Rice] and Elliot [Anderson] together, so it’s a good test of concept." kata Thomas Tuchel.