Time for Thomas Tuchel's England to find their identity as they face toughest test | OneFootball

Tuchel needs a statement display against Serbia after an unconvincing start

Thomas Tuchel was uneasy when it was put to him that Tuesday’s showdown with Serbia could define the first half of his time in charge of England.

It is hard, however, to escape the feeling that this is a potentially defining game for the early Tuchel era, certainly in terms of England’s World Cup qualification aims.

England have won all four of their qualifiers and sit top of Group K. Victory over Serbia, who are second, would extend their lead to eight points.

Tuchel’s England have won all four of their World Cup qualifiers but they are yet to convince

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Captain Harry Kane has said a win in Belgrade would be a “big step” towards qualifying for next year’s World Cup but the manner of any victory feels just as important.

Tuchel has, so far, failed to deliver the brand of football he promised.

Speaking in March before his first game, the German said he wanted England to “play with excitement”. Their performances, though, have been turgid.

One explanation is the opposition. All four qualifiers have been against sides happy to sit deep and frustrate. Across those games, England’s opponents have had just one shot on target and touched the ball in their box 18 times.

Tuchel’s side have averaged 78 per cent possession, but they have struggled to break teams down and only managed eight goals.

Serbia, at least, should offer more attacking intent, especially at home. The hope is that will create a more open game and allow England’s attackers space to shine.

“He (Tuchel) is trying to make us have that energy where we go into any game against any opposition and this is the way we play,” said Kane.

Harry Kane will captain England in Belgrade

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“This is the way we press without the ball. This is the way we keep the ball. I don’t think the games have been easy to show that, so far.

“When you are coming up against the same sort of 11 men behind the ball, it can be a little bit frustrating. We probably haven’t shown our best qualities.

Kane has spoken of how Tuchel wants England to be “fearless”, and they will need to be at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

England are braced for an intimidating and passionate atmosphere, including a 240-metre walk down the stadium’s famous tunnel.

The environment could be hostile and the ground is at a reduced capacity after previous bad behaviour from Serbia supporters.

England players held a meeting in the build-up to discuss what happens in the event of discrimination or racist abuse, and they are well aware of the UEFA protocols.

Kane and Tuchel both stressed how they hope the football is the talking point, with the latter stressing how dangerous a side Serbia are.

Serbia are expected to play with a back-three, with Nottingham Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic at the heart of it.

The wing-backs like to get forward and in 6ft 3in striker Dusan Vlahovic they have the perfect target to aim for.

Tuchel is not expected to make many changes to his team after beating Andorra on Saturday. Centre-back Marc Guehi was the only fitness doubt, but he trained on Monday after a groin issue forced him off at the weekend.

Tuchel never planned to rest players against Andorra, even with this test in Serbia looming. The German knows time is limited before the World Cup and it cannot be wasted.