England’s gamers is not going to have sufficient time to adapt to the challenges of enjoying at excessive altitude earlier than they tackle Mexico of their World Cup last-16 sport, says head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Harry Kane’s double against DR Congo booked England’s journey to Mexico Metropolis’s Azteca Stadium – which is round 7,200ft above sea stage – on Monday, 6 July at 01:00 BST, in a match you may comply with dwell throughout BBC TV, radio and on-line.
At that altitude, the Earth’s barometric strain is decrease, making the air thinner and that means much less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with every breath, which creates clear difficulties for athletes and is more likely to change into a key issue within the sport for England.
Mexico, in the meantime, have performed all 4 of their World Cup video games at excessive altitude, with three matches on the Azteca Stadium and the opposite in Guadalajara – which is round 5,000ft above sea stage – so their gamers are accustomed to the thinner air.
“The altitude can be a giant drawback as a result of we can’t bodily adapt to it,” mentioned Tuchel.
“It simply takes an excessive amount of time. We now have solely three days in between these matches. It is bodily simply not doable to adapt to the altitude.
“That’s simply an enormous benefit that Mexico can have.
“In 4 days, it is simply not possible. Extra obstacles could come, however we’re prepared for that.
“That is simply one thing with which we should deal. And I feel we confirmed the angle that we’re prepared for that.”
