Thomas Tuchel: First impressions of new England head coach after win over Albania
In the opening stages, he twice broke into animated applause when England pressurised Albania into errors – the first occasion when they stole possession and on another when intensity forced the visitors to pass the ball into touch.
Tuchel was equally enthusiastic when England pounced to pinch the ball back. This was the intensity he wanted and will expect more of in the future.
It was all accompanied by tic-tac arm-waving, but mostly he was a calm, measured figure, although there was little to get excited about for long spells.
Tuchel was not a permanent presence on the touchline, taking his seat after 14 minutes, remaining there for three minutes, occasionally in discussion with his staff, before returning pitch-side.
He greeted the first goal of his reign, slipped home by Lewis-Skelly from Jude Bellingham’s incisive pass, with a pump of his fist and a big smile – but it was quickly down to business as he delivered some lengthy instructions to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Tuchel also soon became acquainted with one of Wembley’s more recent traditions, the paper aeroplanes that fly during periods of inactivity. The first one landed near him after 33 minutes.
Tuchel has shown he is not too proud to use the physical presence and set-piece prowess he believes bring the strengths of the Premier League to England, selecting the physicality and aerial power of 6ft 7in Burn ahead of the more technically gifted Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was arguably England’s best performer at the Euros.
When the Three Lions won three successive corners in the first half, a line of players formed – a ploy known variously as “the bus stop” or “the love train” – but there was only one target for Declan Rice’s delivery – the giant figure of Burn.
It was the most obvious of plans, but almost worked as he rose above Albania’s defenders to crash a header against the bar.
Tuchel only lost his composure once, when he berated the officials for not awarding a foul when Rashford was barged to the ground in front of him, but this was an uneventful night and a routine win.
