Heading into the newly-branded Bronze Final, England<\/a>\u2019s manager put up the unconvincing fa\u00e7ade that he cared about the outcome. \u201cIt\u2019s a chance to have the best result since 60 years,\u201d Tuchel argued. \u201cIt\u2019s a big game against one of the best teams in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n It was so difficult to believe that hollow stance because in the immediate aftermath of England\u2019s semifinal defeat to Argentina, Tuchel described the third-place playoff as \u201cthe match no one wants to play in.\u201d<\/p>\n While the Three Lions were still alive in the part of the tournament that anyone gave any credence to, Tuchel outlined his most basic tactic. \u201cThe attacking formula is simple,\u201d he detailed. \u201cI put Harry and Jude together\u2014and they will do the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Now the rest of the roster has to make up the deficit of two players who are responsible for 12 of England\u2019s 14 World Cup<\/a> goals this summer.<\/p>\n England\u2019s Confirmed Lineup vs. France<\/p>\n Starting XI (4-1-2-3): Dean Henderson (GK); Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Gu\u00e9hi, Djed Spence; Declan Rice; Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze; Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford.<\/p>\n Substitutes: Jordan Pickford (GK), James Trafford (GK), Nico O\u2019Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke.<\/p>\n Tuchel Defies Critics With Starting XI of Extremes Thomas Tuchel has come under fire after the semifinal loss. | Ryan Pierse\/FIFA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Tuchel has spent the past three days suffering the slings and arrows of the infamously-bitter English media. To begin with, his decision to switch to a back-five and throw on six defenders in the second half of Wednesday\u2019s semifinal was torn apart as an act of gross cowardice. The narrative was tentatively shifted away<\/a> from Tuchel\u2019s decision towards the innate actions of the players before the blame once again landed squarely on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the blame game needs to be played, O.K., we can do that,\u201d Tuchel seethed. \u201cBut I have the right to not engage.\u201d<\/p>\n This lineup is his way of engaging.<\/p>\n After hunkering down in the front row of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with every white shirt defending the goal like men lashed together on the bow of a sinking ship, the German coach has gone for the opposite extreme. A half-fit Declan Rice has been task with serving as the only vaguely defensive-minded midfielder, shuttling behind Eberechi Eze and Chelsea-bound Morgan Rogers<\/a>.<\/p>\n The wide pairing of Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have been trusted after a watching brief for the semifinal, while Ivan Toney\u2014Tuchel\u2019s cherished \u201cspecialist\u201d whose selection inspired so much furor\u2014has been given the nod over Ollie Watkins, a player many have cried out for. <\/p>\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxn335hvgbdrr4cgcp.jpg\" "\\"Thomas")
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