Tuchel confirms fitness of England star and discusses plan to stop Messi | OneFootball

England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Declan Rice will be fit for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, which he described as a ‘unique’ tie.

Rice had been suffering with an injury problem at the start of the World Cup, before catching a sickness bug. The 27-year-old missed their final group game and was forced off at half-time during their quarter-final victory.

“Everyone is fit to start, everyone was in training,” confirmed Tuchel. “Everyone except Jarell (Quansah), who is suspended, and Henderson.”

On the Arsenal midfielder, he added: “He’s ready to start. Recovered as good as possible.”

Tomorrow’s semi-final will be the first meeting between England and Argentina in more than 20 years. It will also be the first-ever time that Lionel Messi lines up against the Three Lions.

“Just incredible,” Tuchel said of the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner. “His campaign, his tournament, how he carries that team is absolutely incredible. There are no words for it.

“He’s just a leader and the key player in any team that he plays in.

“There is a lot to take care of but we are here to play our way. We are here to impose our style, our strengths.”

On his plan to stop Messi, he continued: “I was thinking if we should do a proper old-school man-mark. I’m not sure if we will follow through with it.

“Everyone knows the spaces and where he wants to show up. But if you close the patterns maybe he will find a new one. That is his super strength, his gift.

“It’s unique to play the reigning champions, it’s unique to play Lionel Messi, it’s unique to play England against Argentina. It’s just a big match.”

The German coach also made it clear that he was not fully satisfied with his team’s performance against Norway in the last round, despite progressing.

He explained: “Too many technical errors in our last match that held us back from finding a rhythm in attack. We were a bit rushed in our decision making, not disciplined enough.

“We improved throughout the tournament a lot in defending and defending as a team. This is something we will need again tomorrow at the highest level.

“Like I said, we haven’t peaked yet. But a match like tomorrow, an opponent like tomorrow will bring the best out of us.”