While there are mitigating circumstances, England showed an ominous lack of dynamism and control during friendly
It was 11pm on Tuesday and it sounded as if there was some kind of road rage incident on the forecourt of the City Ground in Nottingham. All that could be heard was the deep blare of a horn from a large vehicle, which went on for an uncomfortably long time. Then the realisation dawned. It was the Senegal team bus and the driver was geeing up the gaggle of fans draped in the country’s colours, still ecstatic at how they had beaten England 3-1.
The celebrations had got into full swing when Cheikh Sabaly, on as a substitute, swept home the clinching goal in stoppage time, the Senegal bench emptying, everybody wanting in on it. No team from Africa had beaten England before and it did not matter it was a friendly. The scene in the visiting dressing room was probably best described – as heard – by Thomas Tuchel.
Written by David Hytner
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/11/thomas-tuchel-england-missing-joy-senegal under the title “Tuchel searching for England’s missing joy after failing to spark listless players”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
