ATLANTA — England coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that he has contemplated implementing a man-marking strategy specifically for Lionel Messi during the World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday.
Messi, currently sharing the top spot in the tournament’s scoring charts with eight goals alongside Kylian Mbappé, will meet England for the first time in his remarkable career at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The victor will face Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“I’ve been considering the possibility of a traditional man-mark on Messi,” Tuchel stated during his pre-match news conference on Tuesday.
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“I’m not entirely sure if we’ll go through with this plan, but it’s something I’ve thought about. Everyone is aware of the areas where he tends to appear. When you analyze the matches, it’s clear he anticipates situations better than anyone else on the pitch.”
With eight goals and two assists, Messi has also become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals.
“The ball simply finds its way to him; he identifies openings, creates space for his dominant left foot, and then executes at the highest level,” Tuchel remarked. “While we’ve identified certain patterns in their play, he has a knack for discovering or creating new ones when we try to close down their usual routes.”
“That is his ultimate strength. This matchup is incredibly exciting; it’s rare to face the reigning champions and to compete against Leo Messi and his team. It’s always a significant match against Argentina for England, and every aspect of this game is fascinating.”
Tuchel confirmed that the squad is fit for the match against Argentina except for Jordan Henderson, who is sidelined with a broken arm, and Jarell Quansah, who is suspended.
He emphasized that they are not letting the intense history between England and Argentina affect their focus on the game.
“We don’t draw motivation from that rivalry,” Tuchel stated. “We understand why we’re here and what we aim to achieve. We’ve always held ourselves to high expectations and dreamed of this. Being in the semifinals makes us eager for the next victory.”
“While we respect our opponents, we don’t let historical events overshadow the present. This is just a major football match, and we are eager, thankful, and prepared for this occasion.”
Tuchel also reflected on England’s thrilling journey to the semifinals, which included a dramatic comeback against Congo DR and a narrow 3-2 victory over Mexico at Azteca Stadium, followed by a tough win against Norway after extra time in Miami’s heat.
“Every knockout stage match is a rollercoaster, especially considering our encounters involving red cards, falling behind, VAR reviews, and overtime,” he noted.
“We’ve navigated through intense experiences that are quite draining, from playing in high altitude to extreme heat and constant travel.”
“It’s both exhausting and exhilarating. It fuels me; the thrill of it all energizes me daily. But constantly analyzing the next opponent leaves little time for recovery, especially with only three days between matches.”
When asked how he unwinds, Tuchel remarked, “I make it a point to engage in morning exercise. Sometimes, just a quick ride on a bike and a moment to enjoy an ice cream can make you feel like a carefree teenager again.”
“Taking a moment to savor a warm summer evening for a brief period can reconnect you to the joy we all have inside. Sometimes that’s all it takes.”