Thomas Tuchel has dismissed concerns over England’s treatment in Mexico as they prepare to face the World Cup co-hosts – saying it had been “nicer than I expected” and that home fans were “friendly and respectful”.
Tuchel’s side take on Mexico in a last-16 match that kicks off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (Monday 01:00 BST, live on BBC One, iPlayer and Radio 5 Live).
On Saturday, the team were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from fans as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures in Mexico City.
Ecuador – beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 – lodged a noise complaint with Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.
As a result, members of Mexico’s National Guard lined the entrance to England’s hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood next to barriers on the road outside.
“We had no issues tonight and I think Fifa took care of the situation,” head coach Tuchel said. “We have security around the hotel so we expect a good night’s sleep.
“I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t exist yet. If they come, we will accept them. The best way to approach is to be relaxed and calm.
“We have a six o’clock kick-off, so if we miss some hours of sleep we will have time to get some other hours in the late morning.
“What I experienced until now was very respectful and emotional and very supportive towards our teams, so we are very respectful towards everyone. We expect to be treated with respect and that was the case.
“It was even nicer than I expected.”
Tuchel said he had felt the energy in Mexico City.
“It just catches you straight away once you land here and saw the excitement and the emotions,” he said.
“This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium and a massive knockout game.
“It is a big stage and we feel it. It makes you sharper and brings the best out of you. It makes you feel alive.”
Tuchel and squad feel altitude impact
Another big talking point has been the altitude in Mexico City – with the Estadio Azteca 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level.
That means the Earth’s barometric pressure is lower, making the air thinner and meaning less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with each breath.
This can lead to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dehydration, and quicker and more intense fatigue.
Tuchel said he had felt it since arriving on Saturday evening.
“We feel it even if we don’t train,” he said. “I felt a slight headache through the day, for example.
“I didn’t sleep as well as the days before but nothing you cannot handle and that you cannot adapt.
“The players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went they could cope with it better.
“It is just what it is. We cannot physically adapt, it is impossible. But we are here one day before to experience it at least.
“It is not a coincidence Mexico starts their matches strong and aggressively as the first 15 to 20 minutes maybe the tougher. Once we overcome that, I think we are in a good place.
“The players are kind of adapted – you know about the situation. We will take care of what we need to take care of. We need a strong performance and I feel we will have one.”
Kick-off chaos ‘not worth losing your head’ over
Tuchel was asked about the kick-off chaos, with Fifa being set to move the game forward six hours to 12:00 local time (19:00 BST) before U-turning.
“Inside the bubble it was quite calm,” Tuchel said. “The players were not aware there was a possible change of kick-off.
“Just this example shows you to not lose your head – we cannot influence it. Three and a half hours later, you land in Mexico and the kick-off time stayed the same. It is not worth losing your head.”
“Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. We have the spirit, we have the commitment, we have the pure will and the glue in the team to overcome these things. We know what is coming. But that is the beauty of it.”
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