It’s been three days since England failed to make their first FIFA World Cup final in six decades, but the buzz around their last-minute loss to reigning champions Argentina has remained relentless.
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Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions’ German-born coach, has come under heavy criticism for what many felt was a defensive tactic against La Albiceleste after going a goal up, which eventually saw them concede two. But the former was in no mood to concede before the backlash.
Tuchel takes responsibility ahead of match for pride
As England prepare to take on France in the third-place decider in Miami, Florida, USA, on Saturday (July 18), Tuchel defended his moves in the semifinal during a pre-match press conference and added that if there was somebody to blame, it was him.
He also said that he had no regrets but described the pain of the loss as a “scar we carry now”.
“We feel the most pain of all, and it is our scar that we carry now,” Tuchel said.
Leading Argentina till the 85th minute, England decided to make their defence deeper, which eventually gave in under Argentina’s brilliant attacks. Lionel Messi’s side scored in the 85th and 92nd minutes to romp home, leaving Harry Kane’s side shattered.
‘Norway, Mexico games took toll on players’
Tuchel said that England’s team spirit should not be questioned but conceded that it became “too passive” in the later stages. He also claimed that England’s previous games against Norway (Round of 8) and Mexico (Round of 16) had taken a physical toll on the players. On deploying Kane deep into the defence, Tuchel said it was required when one defends in a block.
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“If you’re asking if I regret my decision, if this is the question, then I don’t regret my decisions,” he added. I took several decisions, trusting my instinct, my intuition, my experience, trusting my competitiveness, and I took the decision in order to help the team and get the result. We didn’t get the result,” the England coach said, adding he was not keen to engage “in this kind of game” over who to make the scapegoat.
“For me, there is no one to blame. If you need someone to blame, I take the responsibility. I’m the head coach,” he said.
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