Thomas Tuchel felt a slight headache in his hotel room on Saturday. He hadn't slept as well as the days before. It was the altitude – 2,240 metres above sea level – and England's manager was feeling it even without training. “It's just impossible to physically adapt,” he admitted, less than 24 hours before his side face Mexico in the World Cup last-16 at the Estadio Azteca, a venue where the hosts have not lost since 2013.
The conditions are only part of the problem. Mexico, who have won every game at the tournament without conceding, are a tactical chameleon – switching between four and five defenders, dominating the ball or defending deep. England, for their part, have struggled to break down low blocks, most notably in a 0-0 draw with Ghana in the group stage. Yet Tuchel, relaxed and upbeat, believes his team can turn that same defensive approach against Mexico. “You can choose your defending strategy without regards to your opposition,” said Bayern Munich assistant Rene Maric, whose idea of 'setting the board' could force Mexico into a style England can counter.
“Tuchel admits altitude challenge as England prepare to face Mexico at the Azteca, where hosts are unbeaten since 2013.”
One man who might unlock the game is Jude Bellingham, the 23-year-old midfielder who has already amassed two goals and an assist in the tournament. According to his former England youth coach Richie Kyle, Bellingham was a “freak” at 16. “He was like speaking to a 28-year-old sometimes,” Kyle told Mirror Football. “He would stand up and tell the group what we should have done.” Now a Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid, Bellingham is expected to start in the Azteca cauldron.
Tuchel has injury concerns: Reece James is unlikely to be available even for the bench due to a hamstring injury, while Jarell Quansah trained fully and could start at right-back. All other players trained at the Club Universidad Nacional complex, hewn into cliff faces and accessible only by tunnel.
England have history at the Azteca – the Hand of God in 1986 still hurts. But Tuchel is not interested in revenge. “We are here to write our own chapters,” he said. “The team is ready.”