Thomas Tuchel press conference after England knock out DR Congo in World Cup

[0:00] After 20 minutes, I saw us as the stronger team, attacked more and more with freedom [0:05] and attacked with more and more threat towards their goal. [0:11] We created a lot of big chances in the second half of the first half [0:16] and after the water break, should have maybe had a penalty on top of that. [0:20] We didn't, so we kept the belief and I think even in the second half, [0:25] we kept pushing, pushing, pushing. [0:27] Goalkeeper kept on saving incredible saves. [0:30] So it made things, yeah, things stayed difficult. [0:35] But this team today did not accept a defeat as an outcome. [0:40] They just didn't accept it and that makes me very proud [0:44] because they did what was necessary. [0:46] The going got tough today and they showed up and we got a deserved win, [0:51] even if it was a late one. [0:52] Thomas, you spoke very eloquently about what you said at half-time against Croatia. [0:58] Can you talk us through that last hydration break? [1:02] What did you say to the players? [1:04] What were your words in that final huddle? [1:07] Come on, you must remember. [1:09] I don't remember. [1:11] We were always the same, no new messages. [1:13] We had some substitutes and the message was always the same. [1:17] Keep pounding that rock. [1:19] We have to keep on knocking, knocking, knocking. [1:21] Keep believing, keep on doing what we do. [1:23] We don't give in. [1:24] We don't give in. [1:28] That's what this team is about. [1:30] And we just, like I said, they didn't accept. [1:33] And it's so good to get this feeling on the sideline as a coach [1:37] because while you're trying to support [1:39] and while you're trying to help and support from the sideline, [1:44] you get this feeling that players are free, [1:46] players are not anxious. [1:47] We didn't play with fear. [1:49] We played with determination [1:51] and then we just didn't accept it. [1:54] We knew that these knockout matches [1:56] in this part of the tournament, [1:59] you need to just find a way. [2:01] You need to find a way [2:02] and then you find a way [2:03] and the goalkeeper saves again. [2:04] Like I said, it makes it even more difficult. [2:05] So it was absolutely necessary [2:08] to keep believing [2:11] and to keep doing [2:13] and keep knocking on that rock [2:14] until it breaks [2:15] and I'm happy that they did. [2:18] Thomas, Ryan Taylor, Daily Mirror. [2:20] I think you spoke about this after Garner, [2:22] but you've got two strikers on the bench. [2:25] It's getting to kind of kitchen sink territory. [2:27] Is there any part of you [2:28] that's maybe considering withdrawing Harry Kane? [2:32] No, but we had a plan [2:33] like some more minutes [2:35] without the equalizer [2:36] and we would have brought on [2:38] for sure a second striker. [2:40] So there is, of course, [2:40] a plan to use either Oli or Ivan, [2:44] but it's not the plan [2:46] to play without Harry. [2:49] Sorry. [2:51] Thomas, your substitutions [2:52] appeared to make the difference today. [2:56] I know you credited your players, [2:57] but do you give yourself some credit [2:59] for making those changes at that time [3:02] and how did they impact the game? [3:06] I think we had a bit more [3:07] of a connection than later [3:09] from Epps [3:10] because he played wide on the right [3:11] and helped Bukayo [3:13] to have this connection [3:14] and Declan finished as a fullback. [3:16] So we had the in-swing suddenly [3:18] from half-field [3:18] with a dangerous cross [3:19] and kept Declan on the field [3:22] for all our set pieces [3:24] and moved to the half-left. [3:27] The wingers were more or less [3:28] always clear [3:29] that we will try to push [3:30] with the wingers who start [3:32] and finish off [3:33] with fresh legs. [3:34] With Anthony and Bukayo, [3:36] that was in my head [3:39] long before. [3:40] This was the plan [3:40] and the players knew [3:42] that this is the way [3:43] that we want them to play [3:45] all in on the wings [3:46] and be intense [3:47] and then after 60-70 minutes [3:50] we come with fresh legs [3:51] and then you just try to help [3:54] and support [3:55] and find solutions [3:56] from the bench. [3:57] But like I said, [3:58] I felt it easy today [4:00] in the sense [4:00] that we didn't need [4:02] to unlock something tactically [4:04] or I had the feeling [4:07] no need to give [4:08] a new solution [4:09] and an extra solution [4:10] or to tell them [4:11] do more, do more, do more [4:12] or take away anxiety [4:15] or whatever. [4:15] I felt them [4:16] every time they came [4:17] every time they spoke to me [4:18] they were invested [4:19] they were clear [4:20] in their mindset [4:21] and they did what was needed [4:23] against a strong opponent [4:25] and we deserved to win [4:27] but it was of course [4:28] in the way it played out [4:30] a beautiful win. [4:35] Hi Thomas. [4:36] The hydration breaks [4:37] aren't particularly popular [4:38] with the fans [4:39] but they seem to be [4:40] really important for you today. [4:42] I mean, I know you say... [4:43] Well, I make the most of it. [4:44] You know that I don't really love them. [4:45] I enjoy football more [4:47] when it plays out [4:49] with momentum [4:49] and then players [4:50] and teams have to find [4:52] almost their way into it [4:54] in these kind of momentums. [4:56] it is, I think, [4:58] a free-flowing game [4:59] that is more interrupted [5:01] than I thought [5:02] but of course they are here [5:04] and why would I not [5:05] try to take advantage? [5:07] It's sometimes... [5:08] Like I said, [5:09] I felt today [5:10] that even like [5:11] it was easier today [5:12] to speak to the players [5:13] they were just very calm [5:14] all the time [5:15] they were very receptive [5:16] sometimes a water break [5:17] can also be a bit chaotic [5:18] everyone tries to encourage [5:20] everyone has a message [5:21] everyone tries to help [5:22] but I felt them quite calm [5:24] and quite focused [5:26] in the key moments [5:27] I'm not sure [5:29] what the players' answer [5:32] is to that today [5:33] but of course [5:35] for us as coaches [5:36] we try to make the most of it [5:37] because they are there. [5:39] Mike? [5:39] Hi Thomas. [5:40] Apparently the local commentators [5:42] here were talking about [5:43] the weight of the England [5:44] the famous weight [5:45] of the England shirt [5:46] and you can see [5:46] the players are struggling [5:47] did you actually see [5:49] something different today? [5:50] 100% [5:50] I did not see [5:52] any of that today [5:52] and it would be so easy [5:54] to see it [5:55] it would be so easy [5:56] and it would be so easy [5:58] to give in [5:59] and it would be so easy [6:00] to accept that narrative [6:01] I didn't see any of that [6:02] and it would be so easy [6:03] too easy [6:03] that would be so easy [6:04] in the way [6:05] and it is always [6:05] inside this [6:07] counter [6:08] the tensile [6:09] is tadi [6:10] and I'm glad [6:11] it would be such a竹 [6:11] that oversweg [6:12] new [6:13] that was demons [6:14] of enemies [6:15] and this is [6:16] that only [6:16] has to be [6:18] turned out [6:18] because [6:19] can you [6:20] made that [6:20] when [6:22] the English [6:22] works [6:23] and [6:24] the other [6:24] workers [6:25] that [6:25] are [6:26] in [6:27] and [6:28] that [6:28] the