Post-Match Press Conference: England's Thomas Tuchel On 3-2 Win Against Mexico

[0:00] Hi Thomas, Sammy Mogbel, BBC. [0:02] Can I ask you a question about finding a way and how your players found a way tonight? [0:08] And I can also check on Jordan Henderson and his condition and whether he will have to stay in Mexico tonight. [0:15] Thank you. [0:18] Yeah, my emotions are very mixed. [0:24] I'm just proud of the mentality and the attitude. [0:31] Round of 32, round of 16 is the moment in tournament where you find a way to win. [0:37] We did it with pure mentality, with heart. [0:42] Overcame every obstacle that was thrown at us. [0:47] I'm so proud of the mentality and the will of this team. [0:51] It's a very, very special night for us. [0:53] Mixed feelings also because I'm exhausted of course and emotional, [0:59] but also sad because Jordan got injured. [1:02] He injured his wrist. [1:03] He's at the moment in the hospital, so it's a quite serious injury. [1:07] And it just doesn't fit to the evening that Jordan is now not with us. [1:14] I don't know the procedure, what's going on. [1:17] I just did the press and the doctor told me that he's in hospital. [1:22] Okay, left-hand side here, Mike. [1:24] Hi, Thomas. Mike Keegan, Daily Mail. [1:26] It's now 5.15 a.m. in the morning in England. [1:30] I just wondered if you had a message for those people watching at home [1:33] and something to say about how far England can go in this tournament now. [1:37] I just want to say thank you. [1:38] If you stayed up and send us your energy, I just want to say thank you. [1:42] Because if they think we don't feel it, we feel it. [1:45] We feel it 100%. [1:47] There is so much to love about this team. [1:50] They should just keep pushing, pushing and pushing. [1:53] We will go now full steam ahead. [1:55] We get two recovery days and we will go and use this energy [2:00] to keep pushing and stay in the tournament. [2:03] Hi, Thomas. [2:06] Matt Law at the Daily Tiger. [2:07] From over here. [2:08] Hello. [2:09] That's all. [2:10] Hi. [2:11] Many of us who have watched England for a long time [2:14] will rate this as one of the best results [2:16] and most heroic performances we've witnessed. [2:19] Where does it sort of rank in matches that you've managed [2:23] and also what can this give you and the team moving forwards? [2:26] It felt in the build-up. [2:28] It never felt like a round of 16. [2:30] It still now doesn't feel like a round of 16. [2:32] It feels almost like we won a final or something. [2:35] This last moment where the referee takes the whistle to his mouth [2:39] and you know that you overcame it 40-50 minutes [2:43] with 10 men in the altitude against the home country, [2:47] against a strong, strong Mexican team. [2:50] You just like, this is a moment of joy [2:53] and it is a heroic performance and a heroic result in the end. [2:58] I'm so happy for the players. [3:00] It ranks on the very, very highest level. [3:03] Of course, also for me to be part of this, [3:06] to live this experience the last two days, [3:11] to be in this country, [3:12] to see the people on the side of the streets [3:15] all the way to the stadium. [3:17] Such a special moment and to overcome it [3:21] against all adversity makes it very special [3:24] and it will have a very special place for all of us. [3:27] Okay, yeah. [3:28] Now at the back on the left there. [3:29] Cheers. [3:30] Hi, Mr. Tuchel. [3:31] Joshua Sandoval from Fox Sports Mexico. [3:34] Just give me an resume about the Mexican team. [3:39] He is stronger. [3:40] You know his failures, his bad sides after this match. [3:45] Very strong, very strong team. [3:47] You started very strong. [3:49] I still feel a disconnect from our performances [3:53] that we can bring and that we are still putting out there [3:57] in our football level sides throughout the first half. [4:00] I think we got better in the second half [4:02] and then we got a red card. [4:04] I think you play so fluid. [4:07] You have so many change of positions. [4:10] You all come into the middle of the pitches. [4:13] You play through the gaps with a lot of confidence. [4:16] You turn in these gaps and then you release the speed. [4:20] We are still over protecting ourselves and defending [4:24] which doesn't help against this Mexican team. [4:27] So we had to overcome some difficult moments, [4:31] especially in the first 20 minutes and then in the first half. [4:36] So full credit, I think we played against a strong team [4:40] in an amazing, amazing stadium in an amazing country. [4:45] Yeah, I feel almost to say sorry that you are out [4:50] because I saw the passion and the emotion of all the people [4:54] on the side of the streets today and yesterday from the bus. [4:58] But of course, I am incredibly proud of my team [5:01] and our achievement to go back into quarter-finals. [5:05] Sam, over there. [5:06] Thomas, just over here, Sam Wallace from The Telegraph. [5:09] It was a game where you had to change a lot. [5:12] So tactically, obviously the red card made a big difference. [5:15] You approached the game from the start in a different way. [5:18] Can you just talk us through those changes? [5:19] Because you basically invited the pressure at the end [5:22] and backed your players to stop them. [5:26] I don't see any chance in altitude 50 minutes to not invite the pressure [5:32] against the team that just plays all-in. [5:35] We were two goals up, get a very, very soft penalty from VAR, [5:42] get another setback. [5:46] And before we scored, we played a 4-3-2. [5:53] A 4-3-2. [5:54] So then we scored. [5:55] Then we conceded a penalty and then Mexico Blades basically all-in. [6:01] And we defended in a 5-3-1 until the end. [6:08] No more changes. [6:09] Just changes from personnel. [6:11] And I just have to repeat myself and I have to say it. [6:15] The attitude, the awareness of our substitutes is just an outstanding level. [6:23] Okay. [6:26] Hi Thomas, Simon Pietro in the Press Association. [6:29] Hopefully you can hear me. [6:30] I'm very good. [6:31] Just wondering how Jarrell Kwanzaa is. [6:33] Obviously he's very disappointed, I'm guessing. [6:35] How has he been with the group? [6:37] I was going to say, I guess he's... [6:39] At the moment we're celebrating. [6:41] We're celebrating and we're thinking about Jordan Henderson at the same time. [6:46] And of course also with Jarrell. [6:48] It's crazy. [6:49] Another right defender out. [6:51] In the game, I never thought that VAR would get in the game. [6:56] It was not even given a foul. [6:59] So the referee obviously also thought that it's a hard tackle. [7:03] But it was okay for him to let it play. [7:06] VAR came, made a decision. [7:09] And then like always, I just saw the still on the screen. [7:13] When you see a still, then you know... [7:18] You cannot take decisions on a still in a football match. [7:21] It's just not possible. [7:22] And they did it, of course, against us. [7:25] So Jarrell is very upset, of course. [7:30] And yeah, it's disappointing. [7:33] And the setback today because we were good in the match. [7:37] And for me, not enough for VAR to overturn the decision, like the penalty. [7:42] But okay, that's what it is. [7:44] That's what it is. [7:46] Over here now. [7:47] Yes. [7:48] Thank you for your time, Thomas. [7:49] Tony Sanchez, San Diego Football. [7:50] What can you tell me are the biggest lessons that you're going to take away as a manager [7:54] and your team after this match here in Mexico City against Mexico? [7:57] There are a lot of lessons, of course, on a football level. [8:03] But the biggest lesson is that this team has a heart and the mentality and the togetherness [8:08] that is one of a kind. [8:10] I think that our fans here and our fans in England can be so proud. [8:15] And I think they are proud. [8:17] This is not possible if you're not a group that really means it. [8:24] If you're not glued together with the right spirits, then this isn't possible. [8:29] And we made it possible against all odds and we're very proud of that. [8:35] You obviously know Harry Kane for a long time now and in comparison to his days at Bayern Munich. [8:45] How did you develop even from that level to today where he's leading your team now to that victory? [8:51] And he even got a praise now from Donald Trump. [8:54] What do you think about that? [8:55] And how did you see him today? [8:58] Well deserved, first of all. [9:00] Well, Harry is a unique player, unique personality. [9:05] When I was at Bayern, I'm still glad that I fought the fight to bring him to Bayern Munich [9:16] against some other opinions. [9:21] I'm glad for him that I did it because that was the right step to go into a winning culture, [9:28] to go into a culture that demands everything from you. [9:31] With wins and company, they implemented a very intense style of play that helps him a lot to be in the best shape physically. [9:40] And that's where he is. [9:42] He got his titles well deserved with Bayern Munich. [9:45] He is the key player for Bayern Munich to get these titles. [9:51] And it just took a huge, I think a huge weight off his shoulders. [9:56] He's in the best moment of his career and it's just beautiful to see how devoted and what a team player he is. [10:10] Thomas, over here. [10:13] Ryan Taylor, Daily Mirror. [10:14] I'm sure you'll be aware about following Balogun having his red card overturned. [10:18] You mentioned that Jarrell Quancy didn't think maybe it was enough for a red card once that VAR check came in. [10:25] Where does this start and where does this end now? [10:28] Can we overturn it or not overturn it? [10:30] Or is that something that you'll seek to pursue? [10:34] Because like you say, there's surely a chance. [10:37] Where do you draw the line? [10:38] Yeah, where to draw the line is the question that I ask. [10:41] I have no answer to that. [10:42] Where does this end now? [10:43] Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? [10:46] Do we think it's not a red card? [10:48] Or who thinks it? [10:49] Where does this start and where does this end? [10:51] It's my question. [10:52] I don't have an answer. [10:53] Could Harry maybe ask Donald Trump to... [10:55] Maybe, yeah. [10:57] That's a good starting point. [10:59] I'll go here in the second row and here. [11:01] Ready? [11:06] Hello Thomas. [11:07] Toby Davis from Reuters. [11:08] Could I ask you just to embellish on that point a little bit? [11:11] What did you think of the FIFA decision to suspend following Balogun's punishment? [11:17] I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card. [11:23] But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it were then the opinion that it was a red card. [11:33] So it's a decision is made. [11:35] Who overturns this decision then? [11:38] And when? [11:39] And on what grounds? [11:40] And how far does this go now? [11:45] So it's just strange for me. [11:47] We just want to have consistency in the decisions. [11:50] So is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice? [11:56] We can now debate endlessly. [11:58] I think it's not a yellow card. [11:59] Do we get this back? [12:01] Does France get the yellow card back for Olysee, which is not a yellow card? [12:05] Where does this end? [12:06] Where does it stop? [12:07] So I don't know the rules. [12:09] I'm the wrong person to ask. [12:10] I will wait and see what's coming. [12:12] Okay, I think we'll move on from that one. [12:14] James? [12:15] Thomas, hi. [12:16] James Olly, ESPN. [12:17] Congratulations. [12:18] Thank you. [12:19] When you announced your squad back in Wembley, you said you had a team of specialists, is how you call it, for almost every situation. [12:27] But 3-2 up with 10 men in the Azteca in a knockout game. [12:33] Did you really plan for that? [12:34] Failure of planning. [12:35] I didn't see that coming. [12:36] I have to tell you. [12:38] Esri Konza ended up as a wing back. [12:42] Anthony Gordon ended up as an eight. [12:44] It was Morgan Rogers. [12:45] So Jude ended up as a nine. [12:47] No, but I just feel that we got a real team in the building. [12:53] We got a real team in the building. [12:55] It means that if you turn back and you ask one player to do something extraordinary or just a task in the game, [13:03] I just see immediately that the player knows what to do because they're so invested. [13:08] They immediately see what to do, how to help, and they're just ready to go. [13:13] And that's a beautiful thing. [13:15] It's a rare thing to have. [13:17] And we were not gambling on that spirit. [13:21] And that's what you see now. [13:25] Hi, this is Pierre from L'Equipe. [13:30] What did you think of the performance of Jordan Pickford? [13:33] He has been a bit criticized in the beginning of the tournament. [13:36] And did you ask him to play long ball because the first goal came from a long ball for Jordan? [13:42] Thank you. [13:43] Yeah. [13:44] We wanted to overcome the high press a bit. [13:47] And if we don't feel it, have the option to go for a long ball. [13:51] We tried yesterday in training. [13:52] We could see that Jordan hits it even longer than he normally does in the altitude. [13:57] So we thought this could be a good way to just put the ball in the opponent's half to not get stuck in our half. [14:03] You could feel in the beginning that we didn't have the confidence. [14:06] We didn't have the rhythm to overcome the high press. [14:10] So we went into long balls, which we did good then. [14:15] Yeah. [14:16] Jordan overall did very, very good, especially in the end. [14:19] He was brave. [14:20] He came out for the crosses. [14:24] He really saved the balls that were saveable. [14:29] He didn't allow second chances and rebounds. [14:32] So well done. [14:33] I'm very happy for him. [14:34] We had two more. [14:35] Yeah. [14:36] Thomas, we've talked a lot about altitude. [14:38] Can you articulate exactly how hard in reality that was for your players? [14:43] And how deep they had to go, particularly with 10 men tonight? [14:47] Well, 40-50 minutes with 10 men, it's just on any given day, even on sea level, [14:53] it's just like almost impossible to overcome. [14:58] But we did it. [14:59] We did it in altitude. [15:02] We thought, still think that the first 20 minutes are the hardest. [15:07] We were aware of that. [15:09] And we said we will go all in in the third, in the second to fifth, fourth quarter. [15:15] But then the red card changed everything. [15:17] So you need to ask the player. [15:19] Of course, they're exhausted on the next level, which is beautiful to see. [15:25] Because I think even this gives a connection with the fans. [15:28] They just see that there comes the whistle. [15:32] They're almost too exhausted to celebrate. [15:34] It's just beautiful that players on that kind of level just give everything for the win and for the country and for that shirt. [15:44] And just everyone keep that in mind. [15:47] This is a special group. [15:49] Last question. [15:50] This is Carlos from Telesur. [15:53] Last time that England played here at Azteca was 40 years ago against Argentina. [16:00] And you remember Maradona, The Hand of God and so on. [16:04] Now there is a big chance that England face Argentina in the semi-finals. [16:09] What do you think about that? [16:11] Would you like to face Messi and Argentina? [16:14] What do you think my answer is now? [16:17] I don't know. [16:20] I will not talk about the semi-final if I'm just like into the quarter-final. [16:26] Now we have the chance for some days off. [16:33] I tell you something. [16:36] I will not re-watch our match and I will not watch anything about Norway in the next 24 hours. [16:41] I will do one full day without football. [16:44] And then we will think about Norway and then we will think ahead. [16:48] We will take it step by step. [16:50] There is no other way. [16:52] I agree. [16:54] We had a very sad history with the stadium. [16:57] So we made peace today. [16:59] I just heard from your colleagues what the record was in World Cups from Mexico in this stadium. [17:05] We know what it takes to beat Mexico in the Azteca in a World Cup. [17:10] We know what it takes to score three goals against a team who didn't concede a single goal until now. [17:15] We are not thinking about semi-finals. [17:19] Thank you very much. [17:20] Thank you. [17:21] Thank you, Thomas. [17:22] Thank you for your time. [17:23] Congratulations once again.