Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is not a fan of the controversial hydration breaks being used at the World Cup, calling them a disruption that changes the identity of a football match. Speaking before England's second Group L game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, the England head coach said the breaks, jeered by fans during England's 4-2 opening win over Croatia in Dallas, interrupt the flow of the game. "It breaks the match almost in four quarters," Tuchel said. "I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought." He added that he prefers football "played in one go" because "it builds momentum". The breaks will continue in Boston despite forecast rain and cool temperatures. FIFA recently abandoned a second-half hydration break in France's 3-0 win over Iraq after a two-hour weather delay.
Victory against Ghana would secure England's place in the knockout stages and could even confirm them as group winners. Tuchel faces decisions over his starting XI, with Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice both complaining of issues after the Croatia game but expected to be available. Marc Guehi is pushing for a start. There was also a boost as Bukayo Saka, who arrived at the World Cup camp carrying an Achilles injury, is reportedly in line for a return. Tuchel revealed the latest on the Arsenal winger without providing specifics, but the news was described as a "huge injury boost".
“Tuchel criticises hydration breaks as England face Ghana, needing win to reach World Cup knockouts.”
Ghana will pose a threat through Antoine Semenyo, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth for £64m in January and scored the winner in the FA Cup final. Semenyo, 26, made his senior debut at 18 for Bath City against Welton Rovers, scoring a hat-trick. Ghana also need a win to top the group and advance. England kick off at 9pm BST in Boston.