England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his charges are ready to face DR Congo in the World Cup Round of 32 encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.
The German has praised their rivals and said he and his players are under no illusions about the challenge facing them in a match that will kick off at 19:00 EAT.
“I think we’re facing a very, very compact, very physical team, a well-drilled team in an expected 5-3-2 formation, sometimes a 5-diamond-4 formation, especially with a ball, but without a ball, a 5-3-2,” Tuchel said in the pre-match press conference.
“Compact block, disciplined defending, change between high press and low block, very devoted, very disciplined, well-drilled. So very dangerous in counterattacks, very direct in the approach of play, can play, and is not shy to play long balls into the depth, making it a running game, making it a game of second balls.”
“A team that didn’t allow a lot of chances and didn’t allow a lot of goals against teams like Colombia and Portugal. So that’s basically what waits for us. We know where we are. We know that it’s now the moment to find ways to win. It’s the moment to dig in. It’s the moment to be patient and to do what we do on the highest level.”
Selection headache
Tuchel faces a selection headache as both Reece James and Jarell Quansah will not be available.
“They’re getting closer and closer – I saw both of them on the pitch. Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey, but the race was close to making it in a match squad this time,” the former Chelsea manager said.
“We need to make sure we have more matches; that is the focus, and they will be available very soon.”
Quansah played at right-back in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama but came off with a twisted ankle. James missed the game altogether after picking up a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw with Ghana.
The Three Lions were dealt an injury blow when Tino Livramento suffered a serious injury on the eve of the tournament, and Trevoh Chalobah was called up in his place.
