Thomas Tuchel called England's win over Czech Republic very professional after an awkward night in Prague. England beat 10-man Czech Republic 2-0, Nico O'Reilly has withdrawn from the squad because of injury, and Jordan Pickford is expected to return between the posts for Croatia vs England.

Tuchel's team selection squeeze

The numbers help explain why Tuchel will not need much convincing to trust his regulars. He has won 18 of his 24 matches as England head coach, a 75% win rate that gives him room to stick with a familiar shape in Rijeka.

Pickford is listed as a 91-cap goalkeeper in the source material, and the preview around this game says he is expected to add another cap against Croatia. James Trafford started England's first two Nations League matches, so the recall would be a clear change rather than a minor tweak.

Jude Bellingham has made two Nations League appearances this season, with one assist and a 7.13 rating. That points towards a starting role being back on the table, and it leaves Tuchel weighing how much to change after a controlled win in Prague.

Croatia's response after Spain

Croatia's own mood is less settled after the 4-1 defeat to Spain, when they conceded three goals in three minutes around the half-hour mark. Slavan Bilic said Croatia "lacked aggression" and "played badly" after that game, and the defensive concern is backed up by the broader run: they have conceded in 11 of their last 12 internationals across all competitions.

England's away winning streak in the competition is four matches, which gives them a decent platform going into Rijeka. Croatia still have an unbeaten nine-game run on home soil in competitive fixtures, so this is not a straightforward trip, but Tuchel's selection decisions now look like the sharper issue than the venue itself.

Harry Kane has scored twice in England's opening two Nations League matches, and Anthony Gordon has done the same. If Tuchel keeps them in the team, England will have a front line that already looks settled enough for another testing away night.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →