ENGLAND manager Thomas Tuchel said his side were relishing the chance to play in one of world football's most famous stadiums as they completed preparations on Saturday (4) for their World Cup last-16 showdown against hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
The visitors trained at Pumas UNAM's Cantera complex after arriving in Mexico City on Friday (3), getting their first feel of the altitude before facing an unbeaten Mexico side backed by a raucous home crowd.
"We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium, a massive game, a knockout game against Mexico at the Azteca," Tuchel told reporters. "It's an iconic match and a big stage, and we feel it."
Much of the build-up has centred on Mexico City's 2,200-meter altitude after England had only four days between their round-of-32 victory over DR Congo and Sunday's (4) game.
England's players, however, appeared relaxed during the 15 minutes of training open to the media, joking with one another and smiling as they went through their warm-up drills.
Tuchel acknowledged the conditions during England's first training session in the capital and insisted his players would not use them as an excuse.
"The players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went, they could cope with it better," the German said. "It's just what it is."
England manager Thomas Tuchel during press conference REUTERS/Henry Romero
The England manager also dismissed suggestions his side expected a hostile reception despite facing the co-hosts in front of a fervent home crowd.
"I don't expect a hostile environment," he said. "I think it will be emotional and full of support for the home nation. Altitude, it is what it is. Home crowd, it is what it is.
"We need to overcome obstacles, but we have the spirit, the commitment, the pure will and the glue in the team to overcome these things."
'An incredible occasion'
Midfielder Jordan Henderson said England had embraced the magnitude of the occasion rather than the challenges surrounding it.
"It doesn't get much better or bigger than playing Mexico in Mexico City in this stadium," the 36-year-old said. "It's an incredible occasion for everyone. Mexico are a very good side. It'll be a really tough test, but everybody's looking forward to coming and playing this game."
Henderson echoed his manager's view that England's focus remained on factors they could control.
"Everything that we can't influence, like altitude or kickoff times, is not in our control," he said. "For us, it's about full focus on our job ahead. No excuses. We're ready to go."
England return to the Azteca for a competitive match for the first time since their 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat by eventual champions Argentina, remembered for Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his brilliant solo effort later christened the "Goal of the Century".
Tuchel rejected the idea that Sunday's match carried any sense of unfinished business.
"We're not here for revenge," he said. "We are here to write our own chapters. We are in good spirits and we are ready to go for tomorrow."
(Reuters)
