England manager Thomas Tuchel has called on his players to display bravery and attack Norway in their World Cup quarter-final to ensure they leave the match with no regrets. Tuchel emphasized the importance of connecting with the team's identity and playing with confidence.
"This is the exciting part now," Tuchel stated ahead of the match in Miami. "But we need to let go, we need to connect to our identity, connect to what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be brave. It's the quarter-finals and the brave will have the luck on their side. We cannot have any regrets when we play a quarter-final, we have to go for it, this is the most important thing."
Despite Norway's strong performance in the tournament, including eliminating Brazil, Tuchel dismissed the idea that they view themselves as underdogs. "They have over-performed but I think internally they know very well how good they are," he said. "They know very well how many problems they can cause to any team. They proved it. They eliminated a big nation on a big stage and from then on, there is no such thing as favourites."
Tuchel also addressed the two-match ban handed to defender Jarell Quansah, stating he has received no explanation from FIFA regarding the extended suspension. Quansah was sent off after a VAR review in England's previous match against Mexico, and Tuchel had previously criticized the standard of officiating in the tournament. FIFA declined to provide an explanation when contacted by the Daily Mail.
Following the arduous 3-2 victory over Mexico, Tuchel gave his squad 48 hours of rest and recovery. Upon their return to training, his message was clear: the focus must be entirely on the upcoming match against Norway. "The Azteca and a match like that really was the full package of an experience. We just had to find a way. That was how we framed it with the team. If you need a picture from the Premier League, it is January, it's away in Sunderland or Leeds. It's adversity. It's not good weather. You don't like the decisions of the referee. Everything feels bad. We found a way. But we cannot get carried away, we have to stop looking back now. That is what we agree with the team - we draw a line in the sand. It is no more Mexico. It is only about Norway."
Tuchel believes the World Cup offers an opportunity to inspire a nation and its fans, and England aims to take the next step in the competition. "Football and the World Cup is there to make a country and our fans dream, to believe and excite them. This is what it's for and we want to take the next step."