England put in a strong performance to defeat Wales but Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel was not impressed with the atmosphere Wembley generated in return for his players’ performances
Welcome to Wembley, Thomas Tuchel. After an evening where his England side comfortably dispatched Wales, the Three Lions’ boss decided to turn the focus onto the fans rather than his players.
“We had an excellent first half, we were 3-0 up very quickly but it could have been four or five,” he said. “It was very, very good. Then we couldn’t score the fourth one or the fifth one and the stadium was silent.
“Silent! We never got any energy back from the fans and I think the players delivered a lot to get more from the fans.
“If you then hear for half an hour, just Wales fans, yes it’s a bit sad because I think the team deserved big support today.”
First of all, Tuchel is right. The atmosphere at Wembley for friendlies and run-of-the-mill qualifiers is woeful. It always has been and probably always will be.
READ MORE: Declan Rice makes feelings on Jude Bellingham absence clear after England winREAD MORE: Thomas Tuchel challenges Bukayo Saka after Roy Keane verdict during England vs Wales
Why? A multitude of reasons. A high proportion of families (not a bad thing), people who like to do the Mexican wave (a very bad thing) and a relatively small section of hardened regulars who are mostly there to collect their loyalty caps to facilitate overseas trips.
The fact of the matter is the atmosphere in away ends is almost invariably better – at club and international level. Especially in the case of Wales fans at Wembley on Thursday.
Let’s have it right – it was their big day out. An unusually large allocation of 7,000 tickets and the chance, remote though it was, of a first win over their neighbours for over 40 years.
The fact that they stepped up their support in the second half is akin to a lower-league club going to Anfield or the Etihad in the FA Cup and creating an atmosphere of defiance despite getting walloped. Tuchel will see a better atmosphere created by England fans when they head to Latvia next week and again in Albania in November.
Many on social media have called for games to be moved around the country more regularly to try to foster a more hostile home atmosphere. You won’t find any disagreement from this northerner.
But since the pandemic, England have played home fixtures at the Riverside, Old Trafford, Molineux, St James’ Park, Villa Park and the City Ground. Having attended each of these fixtures, I can report with some certainty the atmosphere hasn’t been a frightening bear pit. A little better, perhaps, but nothing to write home about.
Instead, atmospheres are dictated by the occasion, not the venue. England have breezed into every tournament since Gareth Southgate took to the helm, something we now take for granted, meaning qualifiers are essentially without jeopardy.
Wembley can generate a brilliant atmosphere. The last-16 clash against Germany at Euro 2020 was as loud as I’ve heard a crowd in any stadium in the world. A Thursday night friendly against a side that are beaten inside 20 minutes, not so much.
Additionally, as any Wembley regular knows, if you leave any later than 80 minutes you’re stuck on Wembley Way for an indeterminate amount of time waiting for a tube. Fine if you’re willing to stand in patience. Many are not.
While Tuchel is not incorrect in what he said, he may have been better off keeping the focus on his players following up a superb display in Serbia with another commanding win.
If he can end 60 years of hurt next summer, he won’t have to worry about the atmosphere.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
£49
£35
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.