Tuchel: England 'frozen' in historic loss to Senegal

Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:02 am

**Tuchel: England "Frozen" in Shock Defeat to Senegal**

NOTTINGHAM, England - England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged his team's lackluster performance in their recent friendly match against Senegal, describing them as "frozen" during the 3-1 loss. This defeat marks Tuchel's first since taking charge of the national team.

The match saw Harry Kane score early for England, but Senegal responded with goals from Ismala Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly, securing a historic victory for the African side. Tuchel made significant changes to the starting lineup, a move that may have contributed to the team's disjointed play. The team was booed off the pitch for the second consecutive match, despite a late goal from Jude Bellingham that was disallowed by VAR due to a handball.

Despite the disappointing result, Tuchel emphasized that there is no need for panic. He highlighted England's successful World Cup qualifying campaign, which has yielded three victories and no goals conceded. Tuchel expressed confidence in the team's ability to improve and compete in the upcoming World Cup. He noted that the team will be more competitive in the nomination process and in the demands for the players to be nominated and to be with us in September, October and November because of the density, because we enter then a World Cup season.

Tuchel also addressed the high expectations surrounding the team, stemming from previous successes under former manager Gareth Southgate. He suggested that the team's recent history of reaching quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals has created an environment where winning is expected, potentially leading to a sense of inhibition among the players. Tuchel observed that the team's most dynamic play came after falling behind, suggesting a need to find a balance between expectations and freedom on the pitch.

BNN's Perspective:

While the loss to Senegal is undoubtedly a setback, it's important to remember this was a friendly match and Tuchel is still in the early stages of his tenure. The team's strong qualifying record and Tuchel's experience suggest that England is still on track to be a competitive force in the World Cup. The manager's focus on addressing the team's mental approach is a positive sign, and we should give him time to implement his strategies.

Keywords:

England, Senegal, Thomas Tuchel, Friendly, World Cup, Harry Kane, Ismala Sarr, Jude Bellingham, VAR, Gareth Southgate, Football, Soccer, Match, Defeat, National Team

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