Thomas Tuchel believes England’s loss to Japan at Wembley on Tuesday could serve as a valuable reset, giving the team a chance to improve ahead of the World Cup this summer.
The Three Lions breezed through qualifying with a 100% record, but failed to win any of their two preparatory matches during the international break.
A 1-1 draw with Uruguay last week was followed by a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Japan on Tuesday, with just a few weeks until the tournament begins.
Speaking after the match, Tuchel believes the squad must work on improving if they are to compete for glory at the World Cup tournament later in the year.
“For sure it hurts. It’s always painful to lose, and to lose at home hurts a lot. We got punished for not a lot, for one counter attack in the first half,” Tuchel said.
“We need these matches, we know it is a tough opponent, we had several players not available. A new formation again, we tried a lot of stuff, and we need to learn.
“We need to put it into perspective, it is not the end of the world”, the former Chelsea boss said.
While several regulars missed the clash against Uruguay, Tuchel had most of his first-choice starters available for this clash.
However, Harry Kane was suffering with a knock and Phil Foden started in the false nine role.
The entire team’s performance was not too encouraging as Kaoru Mitoma’s first half goal gave Japan bragging rights.
“It is never nice and we don’t like it but it’s not a question of false nine or normal nine, it is a matter of performing and making a statement, and winning one on ones, and being brave”, Tuchel added.
“We can do better but it is a well drilled team that we are playing against, a new formation and new players.”
England now have few months to reset until their opening game at the World Cup against Croatian on June 27, before other group L games against Ghana and Panama.
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