Thomas Tuchel emphasised the importance of building a cohesive team rather than focusing solely on starting lineups after England's 2-0 victory over Serbia. He highlighted the depth of talent available,
recalling Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham for the November internationals. Despite leaving them on the bench initially, both players made significant contributions when introduced later in the match.
Tuchel's strategy revolves around creating a strong squad where every player is vital, whether they start or come off the bench. "This is not about building a starting XI, it's about building a team," Tuchel told ITV. He stressed that all players are crucial, and their ability to put aside personal ambitions for the team's success is key.
The match against Serbia saw Bukayo Saka open the scoring with a volley in the 28th minute. Later, Foden and Bellingham were brought on, with Foden assisting Eberechi Eze for a late goal. The substitutions demonstrated Tuchel’s belief in his squad's depth and their ability to impact games positively.
Before facing Serbia, Tuchel had stated he wouldn't start both Foden and Bellingham behind Harry Kane. True to his word, he introduced Foden as a false-nine after substituting Kane. Foden created three chances and took two shots despite coming on in the 64th minute. His clever play almost resulted in an earlier goal for Eze, who was denied by the crossbar.
Tuchel praised his team's performance, especially their defensive efforts led by Jordan Pickford and the back four. "We wanted to have quality and impact and new energy from the bench, which we got," he added. The team maintained their perfect record in qualifiers with seven wins, scoring 20 goals without conceding any.
Winning our final match of the year at @wembleystadium Thank you for your home support throughout 2025! pic.twitter.com/yKFtgkRVvh England (@England) November 13, 2025
Challenges Faced During Match
Despite dominating possession, England faced challenges in maintaining precision with their final passes. Tuchel acknowledged this issue but appreciated how his team adapted to Serbia's tactics. "It was a difficult match.we had to adapt and be flexible," he noted.
The game remained intense throughout, testing England’s resolve and adaptability. Tuchel was pleased with how his players handled these challenges while maintaining focus on securing victory and keeping a clean sheet.
The win against Serbia highlighted England's strength as a unit under Tuchel's leadership. His approach of fostering teamwork over individual brilliance continues to yield positive results for the national team as they progress through qualifiers successfully.
