England are set to continue their World Cup campaign on Saturday against Panama at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match will complete the group stage for both teams, with England aiming to secure the top spot in their group.
Panama, while a relatively unknown quantity, have demonstrated a dynamic approach in their previous two matches against Ghana and Croatia. Despite their results, there have been periods in both games where Panama appeared to be the stronger side. However, the absence of their player Adalberto Carrasquilla due to injury has reportedly impacted their ability to convert impressive play into goals.
Panama’s Tactical Approaches
Under manager Thomas Christiansen, Panama have displayed varied formations depending on the phase of play. In opposition goal-kicks, they have adopted an aggressive 4-4-2 press. When opponents maintain possession higher up the pitch, their high press transitions into a mid-block, shifting from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 formation, focusing on making it difficult for teams to play through them.
As games progressed, particularly against Croatia, Panama adopted an even more defensive posture, with their 5-3-2 formation evolving into a 5-4-1 with a deeper defensive line. This tactical flexibility means England could face a team that adjusts its shape throughout the match.
England are expected to welcome the challenge of a team that pushes up the pitch, should Panama choose to press. Against Ghana, Panama conceded in the 93rd minute after losing the ball in the final third while pressing high. Ghana capitalised on the space created by quickly playing into their forwards.
Tuchel’s game model has been observed to involve drawing opponents out of a stubborn defensive shape. When Croatia pressed England’s defenders or deep midfielders, creating space between their attacking and defending units, Tuchel’s side aimed to find their forwards quickly against fewer defenders. This strategy could be employed against Panama.
Overcoming Defensive Blocks
Panama’s defensive style is described as an ‘in-between’ version of Ghana and Croatia. England’s best approach to create chances against Panama is likely to involve playing around them. Panama’s 5-4-1 shape, with four midfielders, may struggle to cover the width of the pitch as effectively as Ghana’s 4-5-1 with five midfielders. This could allow England’s defenders to find full-backs or wide midfielders by moving the ball quickly from side to side, a tactic Croatia used to score their only goal against Panama.
England have maintained high and wide wingers in the tournament, a strategy that could pull Panama’s wing-backs out, similar to Croatia’s approach. Tuchel was observed encouraging full-back Djed Spence to pass to Anthony Gordon before making an overlapping run, mirroring the build-up to Croatia’s goal against Panama. Exploiting the gap between the centre-back and wing-back when Panama’s winger pulls wide is another potential area for England to target.
The possibility of playing over Panama also exists, as their defensive line, even in a 5-4-1, appears higher than Ghana’s. If Harry Kane is allowed to roam, dropping him deep to play accurate passes into the space behind Panama’s slightly higher line could be a tactical option. Ghana had asked Thomas Partey to track Kane to neutralise his influence, and it remains to be seen if Panama will adopt a similar man-marking tactic.
When in possession, Panama have shown strong technical quality in playing out of immediate pressure, with midfielder Cristian Martinez noted for his ability. However, England’s counter-pressing has been a significant strength in this World Cup. If Panama can execute short, quick combinations before speeding up play, either down the same wing or with a switch to the far-side winger, they could pose a threat. Their fast attacks often conclude with crosses rather than central through-balls.
Selection Dilemmas for Tuchel
Tuchel faces selection challenges ahead of the match. While resting key players like Harry Kane might have been an option in an ideal scenario, England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana means securing top spot is still necessary. The schedule is demanding, with a potential run of games, leading to dilemmas regarding player rotation.
Changes are anticipated, some of which are enforced. Declan Rice is one booking away from a ban and reportedly had strapping on his left calf after the Ghana match. The injury to Reece James at right-back, which could keep him out for at least some games, further complicates Tuchel’s plans against low blocks. Alternatives at right-back include Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, and Djed Spence, none of whom are natural attackers. The decision to not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad is under increased scrutiny.
Tuchel acknowledges that England must improve their performance against low blocks. The match against Ghana’s compact 4-5-1 was described as a slog, and a similar test of patience is expected against Panama. Panama have improved since their defeat to England in the 2018 World Cup and were described as awkward opponents in their matches against Ghana and Croatia.
Tuchel anticipates a difficult evening against opponents whose back five may expand to a back six or seven. He noted that England’s most underwhelming performances have often come against deep defences. While England were exhilarating when given space by Croatia, Serbia, and Wales, their laboured displays against Andorra, Albania, and Latvia in qualifying are remembered. Against Ghana, Thomas Partey effectively neutralised Kane’s tendency to drop deep, limiting him to touches and passes with Jude Bellingham. Despite England having possession, they did not register a shot on target until the second half.
Tuchel continues to seek solutions for overcoming low blocks. He stated that it is normal for his team to find it difficult to break down such defences. He seeks an active and aggressive approach against Panama but cautions against being naive or leaving the team too open defensively. He values control and planned attacking formulas, aiming to create overloads in key areas and accelerate play quickly. However, he noted a lack of overloads against Ghana and expects a similar situation against Panama.
This suggests a need for more risk in possession and avoiding traps that allow Panama to break up play. Jude Bellingham reportedly showed irritation against Ghana, giving away a free-kick just before half-time. England needs to maintain intensity, with centre-backs being bolder in stepping out. Kobbie Mainoo’s ability in tight midfield areas could be beneficial if he replaces Rice. Wingers are expected to run at full-backs, with Bukayo Saka potentially replacing Noni Madueke on the right, and Marcus Rashford as an option for Anthony Gordon on the left. Alternatives like Eberechi Eze or Morgan Rogers could also be used to drift inside and link play.
Tuchel observed that the connections on the left side have faded since Gordon linked well with Nico O’Reilly in a friendly win against Costa Rica. He noted that Djed Spence, who replaced O’Reilly at left-back against Ghana, offered little in possession. Rashford was introduced in the 83rd minute against Ghana and is a candidate to start, with Tuchel emphasising the need for more threat from the left side.
The focus remains on the collective, with Tuchel encouraging players to embrace ‘one-against-ones’. He warned that Panama will resist attempts to create overloads, making it difficult to accelerate the match against their low block. He highlighted the need for moments of quality, more precise crossing, and aggressive runs into the box, along with shots from outside the box to force goals. Tuchel maintains perspective, stating that no one will enjoy playing Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana, who celebrated their 0-0 draw as a victory. England, with higher expectations, will be under pressure to perform against Panama and carry momentum into the knockout phase.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”