England manager Thomas Tuchel is ready to aim for an entertaining performance in the early kick-off against DR Congo, acknowledging the team's defensive challenges heading into the last-32 World Cup clash. "We would love to entertain them," Tuchel stated, referencing the potential for younger fans to watch the match, which starts at 5 p.m. local time in Atlanta.
Despite the desire for an exciting display, Tuchel cautioned that the match might be a tense affair. "Maybe we need to define entertainment," he said. "We don't know what's coming and I don't want to ruin expectations. Everyone wants to play exciting football and fun football, but it can also be entertaining if you feel the spirit and the energy of the team."
Tuchel confirmed that both full-back Reece James and defender Jarell Quansah will miss the fixture. "Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey but the race was close to make it into match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches," Tuchel explained. "They will be available very soon."
Addressing the pressure of England's 60-year wait for a World Cup title, Tuchel expressed a fondness for high-stakes situations. "It brings out the very best in us. I love these situations, I love it. I feel it is a privilege," he said. "We play against our very own expectations, we expect from us to go further than round of 32, that's just how it is, so why would our fans not expect it?"
Tuchel also responded to a reporter's suggestion that the knockout match could be titled "Die Another Day," referencing a James Bond film, a sentiment echoed by star player Jude Bellingham in a recent interview. "I wasn't clever enough or spontaneous enough to come up with that," Tuchel admitted, "but yes – Die Another Day."
England advanced to the knockout stage after a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match. The team's performance in the group stages has set expectations for their run in the tournament.