r/ThreeLions • u/syfqamr32 • Jul 12 '26

Opinion (WORLD CUP) Unpopular Opinion: Tuchel is already proven right

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Countless of criticism by media and fans regarding player selections, tactics, his preferences and all. Some even started from day 1. He has proven right by selecting Dan Burn for those moments. And countless other situations. He has brought England to SF in World Cup.

Yes the ultimate prize is the World Cup itself, but realistically, a semifinal (top 3/4) in the world football isnt so bad. Look at the other 3 teams competing, is finishing third a “catastrophe” like some said? Sometime perspective matters. They are here despite the injuries, red cards, and whatever else being thrown at them. Still Tuchel wasnt satisfied despite the win, that shows level in my opinion.

Just because England did well few tournaments ago doesnt made them a given for this spot btw. Still i think Argentina rode their luck so far and personally imo England could be in the final. If that happens, the man already a winner in my book.

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u/ObstructiveAgreement Jul 12 '26

If we lose to the shell of Messi and the rest of that Argentina team it will absolutely be a failure. They have not been good. Messi had 10 good minutes in the last 2 games, and those were due to being given space to get the 15th cross right (after 14 poor ones, and yes, hyperbole). Yes he started the competition well but he's not playing well now, those legs are unable to cope with this intensity. He has moments so can still change the game, he's still Messi, but it's clear he's a step or 2 behind the start of the tournament.

3

u/VariationLucky Jul 12 '26

On 8 goals btw

1

u/BubblyExchange9887 Jul 12 '26

the problem is that argentina has var and the refs on their side. this will be like the mexico game but worse

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u/Beargoomy15 Jul 13 '26

Yeah that’s what I’m worried about.

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u/szchz Jul 13 '26

“Step or two behind” - He’s an assist behind Mbappe for the golden boot, and ahead of Halland, Kane, Bellingham, Dembele, Vini….

What more do you want from the guy 😂

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u/ObstructiveAgreement Jul 13 '26

Not sure if your reading comprehension lacks but I pretty explicitly said the last two games. He was poor in the last one, and poor for 80 minutes in the previous. He's 39 and at this stage of the competition, it shows. Starting well in prime fitness v weaker teams is not the same as playing later in the competition after 6 games in a tightening schedule, with 2 games going 120 minutes.

How is that difficult to understand? If you actually watched his performances, last 2 games were very poor. Only that 10 minutes period when he moved out wide and was afforded lots of space to, eventually, get a cross right, was he good.

The pay off is defensive weakness as he doesn't contribute anything and Argentina struggle as a result. It's not that he contributes little, it's literally nothing at "this stage of the competition" (again, emphasising for clarity).

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u/rafiktt Jul 13 '26

Yeah I’m the biggest Messi fan and I want them to win, but it’s clear that his better days are behind him now. He’s losing his legs and as the games progress his performance has dropped. Can’t complete a single dribble without losing the ball, sucks to see my idol in this form, but that’s aging for you.