**No Over-Confidence from England in World Cup of Fine Margins**
As England prepares for their last-32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the ongoing World Cup, manager Thomas Tuchel has emphasized the importance of maintaining a grounded approach. Despite being labeled as overwhelming favorites, Tuchel insists that his team will not underestimate their opponents, who have nothing to lose in this knockout stage.
England, having topped their group, faces DR Congo, the highest-ranked team among the third-placed sides, on Wednesday. The tournament has already witnessed several surprising outcomes, including Germany's exit on penalties to Paraguay and the Netherlands falling to Morocco in a similar fashion. Brazil and Norway also required late goals to secure their places in the next round against Japan and the Ivory Coast, respectively.
In light of these unexpected results, Tuchel expressed the need for his squad to remain calm and focused. "It’s just narrow margins, it’s tight football matches, and it helps us not to over-expect," he stated during a press conference on Tuesday. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament, noting that teams are well-prepared and defend at the highest levels, making it challenging for favorites to break through.
DR Congo, the underdogs in this matchup, have already exceeded expectations by holding Portugal to a draw in the group stage. Tuchel anticipates a challenging game similar to those faced against Ghana and Panama, where England was favored but had to work hard for their victories. "They can play in the role of underdog, which suits them very well," Tuchel remarked, highlighting the potential threat posed by a team that has little pressure on them.
Tuchel also discussed England's strategy for the match, emphasizing their team spirit and quality. He believes that the ability to convert half-chances into goals and create opportunities in critical moments will be key to their success. "We have the commitment to make crosses difficult, to arrive with numbers in the box, and to decide this match in maybe very few key moments," he stated.
With the possibility of a penalty shootout looming, Tuchel addressed the team's preparations for such scenarios. He acknowledged the difficulty in simulating the pressure of a knockout match but assured that the Football Association (FA) has a detailed program in place to prepare the squad for this specific aspect of the game. "We usually know who takes them and will have the order in place," he explained, although he noted the unpredictability of who will be on the field at the end of the match.
England will be without right-back Reece James, who is sidelined due to injury. His replacement, Jarell Quansah, has also faced challenges in securing a spot in the squad. Tuchel commented on the need for more matches to ensure the availability of players, emphasizing the importance of squad depth as they progress in the tournament.
As the match approaches, the focus for England remains on executing their game plan while respecting the capabilities of DR Congo. With the World Cup showcasing the unpredictability of football, Tuchel's cautionary stance may serve as a crucial reminder for his players as they aim to advance further in the tournament.