There is no such thing as a gentle start to a World Cup campaign, and Thomas Tuchel is discovering that truth the hard way. For England's opening salv...
There is no such thing as a gentle start to a World Cup campaign, and Thomas Tuchel is discovering that truth the hard way. For England's opening salvo in the 2026 tournament, the German manager must plot a path past Croatia without one of his sharpest attacking instruments. Bukayo Saka, that silken winger who has so often been the release valve for England's pressure, will be absent. That changes the calculation entirely.What makes this fixture particularly fascinating is the Croatian spine. Luka Modric, still pulling the strings at 40, will likely be orchestrating from the middle of the park. He is joined by three other Serie A exports, a reminder that Croatia's talent factory keeps churning. You look at that midfield trio and you wonder: can England's youthful legs run them ragged, or will the Croats' positional intelligence simply suffocate the life out of the game It is the classic clash between raw energy and seasoned craft.Tuchel has never been a manager to shy away from tactical nuance. With Saka out, the question is whether he trusts a more direct wide option or asks his full backs to push higher and create overloads. England's recent tournament history is littered with moments where they looked brilliant in possession but brittle in transition. Croatia, with Modric dropping deep to receive and those Serie A defenders reading the game beautifully, will look to exploit any gaps. Expect a low block from the Croats, at least in the opening half hour, and a heavy reliance on breaking at speed.This is not the time for sentiment. Gareth Southgate's legacy was built on solid foundations; Tuchel must now show he can adapt on the fly. The absence of Saka strips away one layer of security. It forces the squad to dig deeper into its character. England have the technical ability to dominate, but do they have the tactical flexibility to unpick a Croatia side that has made a habit of grinding out results in major tournamentsFrom the terraces, you sense a certain nervous energy. The notion that Croatia are some kind of aging side is a trap. They are wily, they are compact, and they have a captain who can still pick a pass that splits a defence like a hot knife through butter. For England, this is squeaky bum time from the very first whistle. A win sets the tone. A draw, or worse, and the pressure will mount before the group stage is even half done.
