Thomas Tuchel unhappy with England attitude in laboured victory over Andorra
Boos greeted the final whistle, just as they did at half-time, after the 6,950 travelling fans watched the Euro 2024 runners-up put in a limp performance against the side ranked 173rd in the world.
England failed to turn their dominance into a goal as the first half ended scoreless, with Harry Kane finally making the breakthrough when turning in star man Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute.
A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 pic.twitter.com/CaUKyBvZKN
— England (@England) June 7, 2025
But Tuchel's side failed to kick on in Barcelona and the skipper's third goal in as many games under the German boss proved the difference in an underwhelming win against obdurate Andorra.
'I didn't like the attitude how we ended the game,' Tuchel said after his first away match in charge.
'I liked the attitude how we started the game, the first 25 minutes, but I didn't like the last 25 minutes, the last half an hour.
'I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier.
'We played with fire and I didn't like the attitude in the end. I didn't like the body language and I think it was not what the occasion needed.'
England tightened their grip at the top of Group K by continuing their 100 per cent start to World Cup qualification and life under Tuchel.
'In the end we played with fire, honestly,' the head coach reiterated at the RCDE Stadium. 'I felt it almost like in a cup game where the favourite does not smell the danger.
'I didn't feel a team that is aware it's only 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier because we were not happy with ourselves.
'I'm not blaming them, I even feel like (they felt) 'OK, we're not happy and this is stuck today, it will not happen today'.
'Step by step the energy dropped. We needed exactly the opposite but we couldn't deliver and so we got away with a win.
'I think we still deserved the win and we have three wins and three clean sheets. From there we go.
'We will not stop to encourage them and make clear after we have a proper look at the match what we want from them.'
Tonight's England Player of the Match connected by @EE: @NoniMadueke_! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/StWFFn6BMP
— England (@England) June 7, 2025
Supporters also want more from the players and Tuchel could not blame them for expressing their frustration in Spain, where he heard boos but not abusive songs from some about Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
'The booing is OK,' the England head coach said. 'First of all, the support was amazing, unbelievable. They created a fantastic atmosphere for a match like this.
'When I came out, straight away I was excited and they made it a very special atmosphere first of all.
Following #EnglandAway 🏴👏 pic.twitter.com/WwmBN3lj9E
— England (@England) June 7, 2025
'They were underwhelmed and not happy with our performance, especially how we ended the first half, so I don't think we can blame them for that.
'We cannot even blame them how we ended the match. In the opposite. I thought they were fantastic throughout the whole match.
'I did not hear anything about what you said about abusive songs or chants, so if it happens of course it's not acceptable but I didn't hear it.'
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North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Thomas Tuchel unhappy with lack of quality in England win against Andorra
Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about when he broke the deadlock early in the second half, turning in lively Noni Madueke's cross, but the expected goals onslaught did not follow. 'I am not happy with the performance, of course,' German coach Tuchel said on ITV1. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 'We started quite well in the first 20-25 minutes, which was the only part where I had the feeling it was only a matter of time, we created a lot of half-chances and from set-pieces, that we will score and keep on going. 'But we lost completely the momentum and couldn't get it back through the whole of the first half. 'We got a little bit of it back in the first 15 minutes of the second half and then ended up in a period which was by far not good enough – lack of urgency, lack of quality and lack of energy.' England play a friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday night and Tuchel is expecting a much-improved display. 'We can just admit it that it's not what we expect from us and we need to do better,' the England boss added. 'We need a bit of time to look at it in detail and address it clearly and directly to be better on Tuesday.' Tuchel was also not happy with how England finished the match. 'We have to play until the 93rd minute. I didn't like the lack of urgency in the end,' he said. 'It did not match the occasion at all, it is still a qualifier away from home, I didn't like it at all. 'The players know all I said to you, because I said it in the dressing room, but it is also necessary to have a look in detail, watch the match again, and then we will let them know tomorrow what we want from them.' England captain Kane accepted it 'wasn't the greatest performance'. The Bayern Munich forward added: 'I don't think many people will remember this one but we can learn from it. 'It is very hot here, a dry pitch, probably similar conditions to maybe next year at the World Cup, so we will go away and analyse. 'We had good spells in the game but we couldn't have attack after attack. We take the three points and we move on.' "Some of the players looked bored" 🥱 Roy Keane and Karen Carney reflect on an underwhelming England victory against Andorra #ITVFootball | #ThreeLions — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 7, 2025 England's listless display did not sit well with former Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane, who offered a scathing post-match analysis. 'We try and make excuses for England with the end of the season and it's been tough on the players,' the former Manchester United midfielder said on ITV1. 'I thought the first half was okay but when they scored the goal it felt it was job done. 'I was really disappointed with England's attitude after the goal went in. The manager can't be happy with that effort in the last half an hour. 'I felt like some of the players looked like they got bored in the last half an hour and I don't like to see that.'
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
England jeered after unimpressive win over minnows Andorra
The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA's world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves. This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren's side in 2007 and Fabio Capello's team the following year. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday's World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about. England's captain turned in lively Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles. Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel's third win in charge. The England boss had named an attack-minded line-up at the RCDE Stadium – where the match was held as Andorra's new ground was not quite ready – and saw his side boss 83 per cent of first-half possession. But the Group K leaders were unable to turn dominance into a first-half opener as well-drilled, defence-minded Andorra held firm on a warm evening in Spain. Jude Bellingham saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Curtis Jones soon saw an attempt blocked, with Ezri Konsa then denied a penalty despite being wrestled to the ground. Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez looked uncertain at some set-pieces but produced some important stops, with his 14th-minute save from Madueke the most impressive. Kane struck wide from close range and Bellingham saw an attempt through a crowd saved but England's play was lacking incision. Andorra's support whistled for half-time as Bellingham saw a flicked header held in stoppage time, which ended with boos from unimpressed England fans. It was not only the performance that some supporters expressed anger with as Prime Minister Keir Starmer copped some flak at points during the first half. Ricard Fernandez's attempt to score Andorra's first goal against England went well wide early in the second half and the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Jones slipped a ball through for stretching Kane to prod goalwards, with Madueke reacting quickest to Alvarez's save and sending a low ball back across for the skipper to stab home. England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Madueke was denied before Tuchel turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eberechi Eze. The latter saw a header tipped over by Alvarez, increasing Andorran anticipation when substitute Guillaume Lopez skipped past Dan Burn to see a shot blocked by Konsa. Play petered out as some England fans made an early exit, understandably preferring to get their Saturday night started in Barcelona rather than see through a dreary conclusion. There was a chance at the death but Andorra escaped, England fans letting their annoyance known but later applauding the players.
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Thomas Tuchel unhappy with lack of quality in England win against Andorra
Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about when he broke the deadlock early in the second half, turning in lively Noni Madueke's cross, but the expected goals onslaught did not follow. 'I am not happy with the performance, of course,' German coach Tuchel said on ITV1. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 'We started quite well in the first 20-25 minutes, which was the only part where I had the feeling it was only a matter of time, we created a lot of half-chances and from set-pieces, that we will score and keep on going. 'But we lost completely the momentum and couldn't get it back through the whole of the first half. 'We got a little bit of it back in the first 15 minutes of the second half and then ended up in a period which was by far not good enough – lack of urgency, lack of quality and lack of energy.' England play a friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday night and Tuchel is expecting a much-improved display. 'We can just admit it that it's not what we expect from us and we need to do better,' the England boss added. 'We need a bit of time to look at it in detail and address it clearly and directly to be better on Tuesday.' Tuchel was also not happy with how England finished the match. 'We have to play until the 93rd minute. I didn't like the lack of urgency in the end,' he said. 'It did not match the occasion at all, it is still a qualifier away from home, I didn't like it at all. 'The players know all I said to you, because I said it in the dressing room, but it is also necessary to have a look in detail, watch the match again, and then we will let them know tomorrow what we want from them.' England captain Kane accepted it 'wasn't the greatest performance'. The Bayern Munich forward added: 'I don't think many people will remember this one but we can learn from it. 'It is very hot here, a dry pitch, probably similar conditions to maybe next year at the World Cup, so we will go away and analyse. 'We had good spells in the game but we couldn't have attack after attack. We take the three points and we move on.' "Some of the players looked bored" 🥱 Roy Keane and Karen Carney reflect on an underwhelming England victory against Andorra #ITVFootball | #ThreeLions — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 7, 2025 England's listless display did not sit well with former Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane, who offered a scathing post-match analysis. 'We try and make excuses for England with the end of the season and it's been tough on the players,' the former Manchester United midfielder said on ITV1. 'I thought the first half was okay but when they scored the goal it felt it was job done. 'I was really disappointed with England's attitude after the goal went in. The manager can't be happy with that effort in the last half an hour. 'I felt like some of the players looked like they got bored in the last half an hour and I don't like to see that.'
