The change Thomas Tuchel has made to England’s World Cup plans to combat Azteca altitude | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel says England have the opportunity to "make peace" with the Azteca Stadium amid potential "karmic" retribution on their first return to the famous arena since the ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, despite agreeing that the altitude is an unfair "disadvantage".

Sunday's last-16 match with hosts Mexico marks England's first match back at the ground since the 1986 quarter-final defeat to Argentina, where Diego Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in football history.

Tuchel said he is "super excited" about coaching in such an "iconic" stadium, and that England should use that energy.

"I just love football and the old tournaments," Tuchel said. "These pictures from Mexico, they are in St George's Park, where we stay.

"Big pieces of history. This is a big moment to make peace with the stadium and turn things around.

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England have not returned to the Azteca since Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God; (Getty)

“It will reward us. We will get it back. It’s karma. Karma will come back for us. We will turn it around.

"I remember of course the world cup of Maradona. Two goals against England. One that was dribbling and one that would never stand these days.

"I remember something was hanging in the centre of the Azteca and it never moved. It was like a ball hanging and the sun was so steep the shadow was always there in the middle.

"I was 13 years old and Germany played them in the final. It's an iconic stadium. I remember the coffee table book that came from it and the pictures with all these flags and stuff. Super excited to have this match. It's an iconic match to play against Mexico in Mexico. It will be against the whole country, the energy of the whole stadium in their country."

Tuchel admitted that England will also have to battle against the challenges of altitude for such a huge match, and how Mexico are so accustomed to it.

The Azteca stands at 2,240 meters above sea level. When asked whether this was unfair, the German said: "Yes, it's a huge advantage".

Tuchel did admit that England changed plans as a consequence. Having flown back to their Kansas City base after the Atlanta win over Democratic Republic of Congo, the squad will fly on Friday afternoon - rather than the usual trip the day before the game - in order to find some kind of balance within the constraints and the recommendations for the best preparation for altitude.

"We will go one night earlier. It makes sense,” he said. “The ball will fly differently. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.

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England face the challenge of high altitude at the Azteca (Reuters)

“The recommendation is you either go 10 days before - which is too long for us - or last minute, which is not allowed. We have spoken to teams who do it and they say they travel very very late on match day if they can't have time to adapt. Find a mixture in between. It will stay as a disadvantage."

Tuchel said the conditions would likely cause England to play differently.

"It will come automatically, I think,” he added. “We will adapt to what is going on there.

“The heat and the humidity will not be our biggest problem. We have banked a lot of heat minutes in our body. I think if it's really really hot it may take intensity away from the match."

Another challenge is the noise created by a fervent crowd.

"We will expect that,” he said, “but what can we do? Maybe we will bring ear plugs. I expect everything."