England will bid to again banish the noise as they take on Croatia in the Nations League amid the fallout from the Manchester City verdict.
One might have forgiven a few in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for being a little distracted after a seismic moment for the sport, but England produced a professional enough performance against the Czech Republic on Tuesday to secure a 2-0 win. It felt a quietly significant result for a manager still under pressure given the manner of his side’s World Cup exit, and Tuchel will be hopeful of another strong showing on another tough away day.
England beat Croatia in their World Cup opener earlier in the year, though the hosts have re-appointed Slaven Bilic since the end of that tournament. Though no match for world champions Spain in their last outing, there is plenty of experience and quality in the home ranks – though only schoolchildren in the stands due to crowd restrictions after disturbances from Croatian fans in Paris last year.
Follow all of the latest from the Nations League clash with our live blog below:
Croatia v England LIVE
- Croatia host England in Nations League | Live on ITV, kick off at 5pm BST
- Thomas Tuchel's side bidding to build on win in Czech Republic
- Limited fans in attendance due to crowd restrictions
- TEAM NEWS: Jordan Pickford returns in goal
Saka bringing more to England
14:54 , Mike Jones
Also in the build-up to today’s match, Tuchel spoke about Bukayo Saka and how he impressed during the match against Czech Republic.
“I felt him more involved, and felt he was more dangerous at the start of the season – and still I think there is some level still to come when he plays for England,” the manager said.
“He knows it but he feels good, he feels the trust, he knows the position, he is confident enough, he is experienced enough to unlock the next level for him.
“He knows it, we know it and he has my full trust and support. And there is a big chance he starts again. If he’s available we go again.”
Tuchel on Alexander-Arnold's opportunity
14:48 , Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel admitted that this England camp can be an opportunity for Trent Alexander-Arnold to stake a claim to be a regular starter if he can buy into the direction the manager wants to take the team.
Alexander-Arnold has not been a regular for England and Tuchel was asked whether he is approaching a ‘now or never’ situation.
“Good question. Maybe, maybe a little bit. You always have the chance, I would say,” he said.
“Once you are in camp it’s a big opportunity if other players are not here. You can impress and mark your territory and show his true capacity that no one’s doubting.
“That’s maybe the challenge for Trent: to buy a little bit into a new idea and a bit out of his comfort zone. But he’s trying and it’s never too late to prove a point.”
Tuchel addresses more Man City concerns
14:42 , Mike Jones
The England boss also addressed the question of whether he would still select players who play for Man City if the club are kicked out of the Premier League.
“There’s always a possibility,” he said. “I think I will always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament, and I will never rule out that they don’t play in the top flight in their country.
“So you need to look at this case by case.”
Tuchel and Man City players speak about impact of club disruption
14:36 , Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel says he and his players have discussed the topic of Manchester City’s rule breaches and guilty verdict but he admitted he did not know if the ongoing saga would distract the players who are at the club.
“Are they worried or like are they concerned?” Tuchel said of the likes of Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson.
“I think that would be a very human reaction if you don’t know what’s going on for the club that you signed.
“They’re still young. They’re ambitious. They’re told they are totally innocent and don’t know what’s going on.
“So yeah, I think it is a subject.
“If it’s a distraction, I don’t know. It’s the honest answer, but it is of course a topic and we speak about.”
England’s Manchester City players worried about future after club’s guilty verdict, Thomas Tuchel says
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Thomas Tuchel says Manchester City’s England players are anxious following their club’s guilty verdict for breaching Premier League financial rules, but he would still select them even if the club suffers relegation.
City face an uncertain future after an independent panel found them guilty of severe financial breaches, though they have appealed, claiming to hold "irrefutable evidence" of their innocence.
The issue has unfolded during the international window, with City members Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly featuring in the England squad.
While O’Reilly has returned home injured, Tuchel acknowledged it is natural for City’s players to feel concern over the club’s plight.
England’s Man City players worried about future after guilty verdict, Tuchel says
England's early team news
14:24 , Mike Jones
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly withdrew from the England squad earlier this week, leaving Lewis Hall likely to continue at left-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed with an assist against the Czech Republic and will contend for a place again on the right of the back four, while Jordan Pickford will displace James Trafford in goal.
Alex Scott could earn a first start.
Predicted England XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Croatia's early team news and possible line-up
14:18 , Mike Jones
Martin Erlic has withdrawn from the Croatia squad after suffering a hamstring strain but manager Slaven Bilic should otherwise have a fully fit squad to select from.
Predicted Croatia XI: Livakovic; Smolcic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic P. Sucic; Baturina, Beljo, Marco Pasalic
How can I watch it?
14:12 , Mike Jones
As usual with England matches, viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage from 4.15pm BST.
A live stream will be available via ITVX.
When is Croatia vs England?
14:06 , Mike Jones
Croatia vs England is due to kick off at 5pm BST on Saturday 3 October at the HNK Rijeka Stadium.
It is the third fixture in this round of Nations League games with both teams having won one and lost one of the previous two in group A3.
England v Croatia
14:00 , Mike Jones
England will look to build on a strong win in the Czech Republic as they face another tricky away trip in Croatia.
Thomas Tuchel’s side bounced back from a defeat to Spain in their Nations League opener as they produced a professional performance against 10-man opposition on Tuesday.
That 2-0 success leaves them second in Group A3, level on points with their opposition – who will not benefit from their usual home advantage due to crowd restrictions in Rijeka.
Croatia were beaten 4-2 by England at the World Cup and are now back under the management of former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, who previously oversaw the national team between 2006 and 2012.
Croatia v England LIVE
10:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
After a week of fallout from the seismic Manchester City verdict, Thomas Tuchel and his England side will bid to focus on matters on the field as they face a tricky test against Croatia. A strong showing against the Czech Republic in midweek secured a much-needed win for Tuchel – can they go again as they continue their Nations League campaign in Rijeka?
Kick off is at 5pm BST.
