Talk about an end of term feel to these international games, England’s unconvincing win over Andorra was more like detention.
These June international windows, when there is no summer tournament, can often be a box-ticking exercise, but even by those lowly standards, this was a hard watch and one from which Thomas Tuchel will not be able to take many positives.
Tuchel became the first England manager to win his first three games without conceding a goal, and yet a more thorough dismantling of the side ranked 173rd in the world was expected in Barcelona. The England head coach had said his team would need to get themselves going; well, they certainly did not.
It can often be the case that patience is the most prime commodity when faced with packed ranks, a la Andorra, but Harry Kane’s goal in the 50th minute did not signal the opening of the floodgates.
Instead, we were left with the prospect of Andorra being one decent attack away from an equaliser in stoppage time. Had they managed it, then Tuchel would certainly have had questions to answer.
“I didn’t like the attitude how we ended the game,” he said. “I liked the attitude how we started the game, the first 25 minutes, but I didn’t like the last 25 minutes, the last half an hour.
“I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier. We played with fire and I didn’t like the attitude in the end. I didn’t like the body language and I think it was not what the occasion needed.”
The England head coach’s first away trip was not meant to be like this. Their place at next summer’s World Cup was practically already guaranteed even before qualifying started with two 2-0 wins at home against Albania and Latvia in March, but the hope is for Tuchel to add more to this team.
Clearly, though, there is only so much a coach can do with a group of players at the rump end of a campaign when everyone is knackered and a match away to Andorra hardly gets the blood pumping.
Improved display expected against Senegal
The warm-weather camp near Girona, when the players were tested in hot and humid conditions, may offer the most tangible takeaways from this end-of-season sojourn. The fans made their feelings known of the dross they were served on the pitch with boos at half time and at the final whistle.
“The booing is OK,” Tuchel added. “First of all, the support was amazing, unbelievable. They created a fantastic atmosphere for a match like this. When I came out, straight away I was excited, and they made it a very special atmosphere first of all.
“They were underwhelmed and not happy with our performance, especially how we ended the first half, so I don’t think we can blame them for that.”
England finish their season with a friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday and an improved performance will be expected by the crowd at the City Ground. There was no ruthlessness, little incision and far too many sideways passes against Andorra.
Tuchel’s decision to play Curtis Jones as a right back that moved into midfield was, in theory, an attacking move, but that along with starting a side that contained another five attack-minded players failed to stir a display that will not be remembered one bit.
“It wasn’t our greatest performance,” said Kane, who now has 72 England goals in 106 appearances.
“I don’t think it’s one many people are going to remember, that’s for sure, but it’s three points in the bag. But, yeah, for sure, we know we can play better in all aspects, both with and without the ball.
“It’s down to us now to go analyse it, look back and try and learn from it because condition-wise it’s going to be very similar to next summer – dry pitch, warm weather, humid.
“We were just lacking quality, looked a bit fatigued both physically and mentally and, yeah, we got away with it because we’re a good team and they had a couple of half-chances there where we didn’t get punished. But ultimately, it wasn’t good enough.”
