Tuchel says Czech Republic game 'not yet a must-win'

England coach Thomas Tuchel stated on Monday that the upcoming Nations League match against the Czech Republic in Prague does not yet require a win to progress. England suffered a 3-2 loss to Spain in their previous Nations League game, which dented their hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the second time. Tuchel, who led England to third place at the World Cup, emphasized that every match should be approached with a target to win.

He reiterated this sentiment for the upcoming match against the Czech Republic, stating that maintaining confidence and belief is crucial, especially after a defeat. Tuchel expressed respect for the Czech Republic, who have recently hired their first-ever foreign coach, Santi Denia, after finishing last in their World Cup group.

The coach also mentioned that Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly, who started against Spain, may be sidelined for the match against the Czechs due to minor injuries. Tuchel confirmed that he would prefer to field the same team, but prioritizes the players' health. The English team has only managed to reach a Nations League semi-final once since its inception, and have even been relegated to the second tier in 2022/23.

The Czech Republic, on the other hand, have not lost any of their last four home games against England and won the last encounter 2-1 in a Euro 2020 qualifier in Prague in 2019. Despite the challenges ahead, the Czech coach Denia remains focused on developing his team and improving their performance.