Tuchel and Kane take aim at Euros campaign before England v Albania: football – live

Today marks the commencement of a new chapter for Thomas Tuchel. Having officially assumed the role of England head coach in January, Tuchel will lead the team onto the Wembley pitch this evening for their inaugural match: a 2026 World Cup Group K qualifier against Albania.

Tuchel’s appointment as an elite-level manager on an 18-month contract underscores a singular objective: securing victory at the World Cup tournament hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada next summer. While a first qualifying match cannot win the World Cup, a lackluster performance could undoubtedly trigger media scrutiny and fan discontent.

Conversely, a dominant win would establish a positive atmosphere for the qualification journey. Tuchel has emphasized to his squad the limited preparation time, with only 24 training days available before the start of next year’s major tournament.

The encounter promises to be compelling, particularly in light of Tuchel’s past critiques of Gareth Southgate’s tactical approach at the previous Euros. Let the game begin!

Morgan Rogers is strongly contending for a starting position in the attack as Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England manager begins with tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Albania.

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Rogers, a versatile attacking midfielder, has showcased impressive form for Aston Villa this season and has reportedly excelled in training this week. Although uncapped for England at the senior level, he could be deployed as the No. 10 against Albania, potentially alongside Jude Bellingham in a slightly deeper midfield role with Declan Rice.

On the flanks, Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon are expected to compete for starting places against Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen, and Eberechi Eze.

Reflecting on the team’s dynamics, Harry Kane stated yesterday, “We must be prepared to engage in uncomfortable discussions [under Tuchel’s leadership]… to challenge teammates constructively.”

He added, “Within a successful team environment, these challenging conversations are essential… We require more players to feel empowered to speak openly and push each other. If we cultivate this, we will be well-positioned for success.”

“I believe they are fundamentally different personalities,” Harry Kane remarked last night when comparing Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate. “It’s evident in their demeanors on and off the field.”

“My relationship with Gareth was excellent, built on shared traits and a quiet, understanding approach, with open communication.”

“Thomas, conversely, injects considerable energy and enthusiasm. In training and team meetings this week, his passionate communication style has been apparent.”

“It’s been fantastic. Having observed his methods last season, he was a significant factor in my decision to join Bayern Munich. I am familiar with his qualities and coaching ability.”

“The squad has been universally impressed with him, and we eagerly anticipate commencing this new phase.”

Aaron Ramsdale, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Jarell Quansah have been informed by Tuchel that they will not feature in England’s lineup against Albania this evening.

Craig Gordon has cautioned that Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece is “far from over” despite their 1-0 victory in Athens on Thursday. Scott McTominay’s 33rd-minute penalty secured the win for Steve Clarke’s team, but they endured sustained pressure from Greece in the second half to maintain their advantage heading into Sunday’s return leg at Hampden Park.

The Scotland goalkeeper emphasized that further effort is needed to guarantee progression in League A.
He stated: “It remains a challenging tie. The contest is finely poised. Their quality was evident, necessitating another strong performance from us.”

“This is by no means settled; the second leg will be very demanding. It was a significant victory requiring immense effort, particularly in the second half to defend the lead. However, remarkable resolve was demonstrated by everyone to persevere throughout the second half and maintain our advantage.”

“We might have secured a larger lead by half-time, potentially altering the course of the second half. Had we increased our advantage, the game might have unfolded differently.”

“Credit to Greece; they emerged strongly in the second half, applying significant pressure, forcing us into a defensive stance to secure the 1-0 result. The defenders threw themselves into challenges; it was occasionally fraught. Such measures are sometimes necessary to protect the goal, and I believe we executed that effectively in the second half.”

Catch up on last night’s Nations League action:

Spain salvaged a latedraw against 10-man Netherlands, securing a 2-2 result on Thursday and extending their unbeaten run to two years.

On the cusp of what would become his first competitive defeat as United States men’s national team coach, signaling the end of his initial positive spell, Mauricio Pochettino made a remarkably insightful observation.

“Football hinges on timing, current form, and player condition,” he conveyed to reporters before the USMNT’s 1-0 loss to Panama.

For seasoned football enthusiasts, and fittingly for a tournament hosted across the Atlantic, the upcoming 16 months evoke a distinct A-Team essence… Can Tuchel and his coaching staff, like the resourceful A-Team, devise an improvised strategy capable of achieving World Cup glory on July 19, 2026?

It’s Friday, nearing 11 am… quiz time approaches:

A significant report from Paul MacInnes, Lorenzo Buzzoni, and Chris Matthews reveals a concerning trend: Gambling industry money remains deeply entrenched in European football. New research indicates that two-thirds of teams in 31 top-flight divisions have at least one sponsorship agreement with a betting company.

Even as the Premier League prepares to implement a ban on gambling firms as front-of-shirt sponsors, scheduled for next year, data suggests that European clubs are finding alternative avenues to circumvent such regulations.

In other headlines, Scotland defeated Greece 1-0 in the Nations League playoff last night, courtesy of a penalty from Napoli’s midfield orchestrator, Scott McTominay. Ewan Murray provides the match report:

I believe England perhaps lacked a forward with considerable pace, particularly at Euro 2024.

Barney Ronay explored the importance of pace around Kane and how Gareth Southgate seemingly obscured the optimal way to utilize him last summer:

Harry Kane: “I would suggest we were somewhat lacking in leadership over the summer period. Leadership becomes crucial, particularly when circumstances are challenging, or when external pressures mount. That’s where players like myself and Jordan [Henderson] become essential. It’s invaluable to have him alongside. Our leadership styles complement each other effectively.”

I anticipate varied perspectives on this assessment.