Tuchel: England in ‘good moment’ ahead of Spain

Thomas Tuchel says Spain are the biggest challenge in world football but believes England are in a ‘good moment’ ahead of their meeting in the UEFA Nations League.

The Three Lions face the reigning World Champions at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Sunday knowing a victory would see them leapfrog Luis de la Fuente’s side and claim top spot in Group A3.

Tuchel’s men, who have already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals in March, suffered a 3-2 defeat against Spain in September.

They have since won four consecutive games, including the emphatic 7-0 victory over Croatia and the Three Lions boss feels they are heading into the game in a positive position.

“It is the biggest test in world football for national teams at the moment because Spain seem unbeatable,” he said at his pre-match press conference.

“They have a very strong identity and a very strong and competitive mentality. They won the European Championship, they won the World Cup, of course.

“We're trying to take it away from them. We're trying to beat them and we are up for it.

“I think we are in a very good moment, to push our limits, to try what so many teams tried.

“I think we were very close in Wembley in the first match, and we are up for a spectacular match, and we are up for the fight.”

Tuchel will have a full squad of players to choose from in Madrid, with Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence available again after missing the 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley.

James Trafford is also set to feature, with the England boss confirming he will alternate his goalkeepers again as he did during the extended September and October international window.

“It's good news, first of all, because we have everyone back,” he added.

“Ezri Konsa is back and available. Djed Spence is back and available, so we have full choice in our back four.

“James Trafford will play tomorrow. We will share the match like we did in the last campaign.

“We want to see how far Traff is and we can give him the opportunity, which is normally very rare for goalkeepers, so we use the Nations League for exactly that to see him and, and to trust him in a high-pressure environment, in a high-pressure match.

“We have again had an excellent camp. I said today after training, it was an excellent camp on the pitch, off the pitch.

“We want to bring all this to a difficult stadium against the best team in the world.

“I think we are up for an exciting match. Both teams want to dominate. Both teams want to create chances, so let's see who will be the lucky one in the end.”