Thomas Tuchel has passionately defended his controversial defensive substitutions during England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. England were 1-0 up and were five minutes plus stoppage time away from a first World Cup final since 1966. But goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the game on its head, after Tuchel had gone to a back five midway through the second half.
Tuchel - who made controversial comments about England's DNA after the semi-final loss - did admit that he may have played a defensive style of play too early in the semi-final. But he also added that England's growing fatigue throughout the tournament and Argentina's crazy tactics meant he simply had to make those changes. "You can try to kill me here.
But it's my scar, it's not your scar," said the England manager, when reviewing the entire tournament in an England documentary. It's not you having to live with this. I'm in charge here and I take these decisions.
"No-one is more hurt than me, no-one wanted it more. They can endlessly torture you and think: if I had done different substitutions, then we would have won the match. You just don't know it." Read below for the England manager's views in full on how the Three Lions lost the World Cup...
Remember that huge Djed Spence tackle that kept England 1-0 up? That was the moment things started to change in Tuchel's head. England had just led through Anthony Gordon and had two more chances to extend the lead through Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
But an Argentina break saw Giuliano Simeone run through on goal, leaving Spence to make a last-ditch tackle. Tuchel said: "We did quite well in the first half, it was totally an even match. We had good ball possession moments.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
