Tuchel says England has a plan for Spain
England begins its UEFA Nations League campaign against world champion Spain on Sunday (AEST), and Thomas Tuchel is determined to start with three points.
The Three Lions host Spain at Wembley Stadium in both of their first matches since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spain lifted the trophy for the second time in its history after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final, while England beat France 6-4 in the third-place play-off, its best finish at the tournament since winning it in 1966.
Luis de la Fuente's side is unbeaten in each of its past 38 matches in all competitions, winning 29 of those in the longest such streak by a European nation in history.
Tuchel conceded England will have its work cut out against Spain and believes La Roja's possession-based style is a disadvantage for his side.
"I think it is an advantage in general. Not only against us, but against everyone," Tuchel said.
"This is how they play. I think they rely on that. This is how they train and they were brought up. This is clearly part of them.
"But at the moment, I think the more you analyse Spain and their last matches they played in, you have to admire the way in which they defend. They added this to their game.
"It is so difficult for every single team in the world to create chances against them. We have a plan, and we have ambition, and we want to prove the opposite.
"We want to be the exception to the rule, but at the moment they are a very complete team."
England winger Anthony Gordon previously stated the Three Lions must play to their own strengths, but captain Harry Kane believes they can mirror Spain's style if needed.
"I get what he's saying," Kane said of Gordon's comments. "It's culture for Spain, playing a certain style from five, six or seven years old until they're professionals. In England, it's not so much like that.
"It doesn't mean we can't play under pressure or keep the ball. We still have a lot of amazing technical players – but we have a lot of strengths that they don't have; physicality, pace and power.
"They way we press and win duels, a lot of Premier League style football in a way.
"I think at our best we combine both. We're not just a team that play like Spain, but we have a lot of strengths that we can showcase."
