How Thomas Tuchel’s bizarre ‘golden ticket’ tactic freed Jude Bellingham to overpower Norway and equal Diego Maradona
ENGLAND have marched into a fourth World Cup semi-final after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norway in Miami.
The Three Lions had to dig deep on a difficult night, but individual brilliance and tactical masterstrokes proved the difference.
And according to Tactics Exposed expert Dean Scoggins, Thomas Tuchel‘s special treatment of Jude Bellingham has unlocked a world-class beast who is matching the game’s ultimate icons.
And following his brace against Mexico a week ago, it has made Bellingham the first player to score two goals in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since Diego Maradona in 1986.
Speaking on the latest episode of Tactics Exposed, brought to you by Midnite, Dean said: “He’s elite in every single way.
“He’s head and shoulders above any other midfielder in the world at the moment, and he’s proving it on the highest stage.
“The way that he’s got them set up is that then Bellingham can go and sniff the danger. He’s not got the constraints of doing things the other direction.
“Tuchel has given Jude permission to kind of do whatever he likes. You’re our sort of golden ticket. Do what you like. He’s not putting too many constraints on him.
“I feel like England are playing with 12 at times, because when then there’s a midfield job to be done, he’s back in between it.
“The ground he covered again today, I mean, he was absolutely out on his feet when he was substituted towards the end.
“Tuchel has built this team for moments. And the tactical set-up is so we’re secure, we’re solid and we can play from our base.
“And not always do you have to be brilliant in the whole performance. You just have to be brilliant in those moments. And that’s what he is.”
While Bellingham provided the magic on the pitch after being given the a free pass to do what he wants, it was Tuchel’s approach on the touchline that kept England’s World Cup dream alive.
The German tactician also showed he is not afraid to make ruthless, reactive changes when things aren’t going to plan.
Dean added: “It’s solving problems as you go along. Thomas Tuchel is taking us to another plane here.
“He’s taking us to a level where he can solve problems in the game. And then if his solution doesn’t work, he solves it again.
“Declan Rice was clearly not fit. Clearly at half-time, they’ve made the decision that Rice can’t carry on. So switch it up, right? Don’t wait. No, decisive. Makes the change.
“Tuchel keeps shuffling the pack. We saw Magnus Carlsen, the Norway grand chess master in the crowd.
“Tuchel was making the chess moves better than him. He was making those moves that got England into the next round.”
Aside from the tactical chess match on the bench, England also had to find a way to silence Manchester City monster Erling Haaland.
Step forward unsung hero Elliot Anderson, who put in a breathtaking display to anchor the midfield.
Dean said: “Man of the match was definitely Anderson. He was absolutely magnificent. The amount of ground he was covering, absolutely unbelievable.
“Every second ball he mopped up. He didn’t put a foot wrong. It was over 100 touches. He was absolutely everywhere.
“He just got England out of tricky situations all over the place. Especially if Declan Rice is still carrying an injury and he’s maybe a doubt for a semi-final, he’s been the major positive for England.
“We have to say that the way England defended against [Haaland] was absolutely superb. Marc Guéhi, you can take him back to Man City in his pocket.
“He was so good. England matched it, fought fire with fire and made sure they had him 2v1 whenever possible.”
SOURCE: THESUN