KANSAS CITY (United States) — Marcus Rashford said England were unfazed by the prospect of facing Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium despite admitting the World Cup last-16 clash was a tough assignment.
Thomas Tuchel’s men fly south from their Kansas City base later on Friday, bracing for the challenge of playing at the fortress-like home of the co-hosts.
The pitch in Mexico City sits 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level. At that altitude, air is thinner, meaning each breath delivers less oxygen to the body and the ball travels faster and farther.
“It’s going to be tough,” Rashford said. “There are no easy games in the World Cup. Different teams bring different problems to us.
“It’s up to us on the pitch and on the training ground to find new solutions.”
The winger added: “The altitude obviously plays a factor but it’s not something that we’re worried about or anything like that. We’re all experienced players. We have to manage the game.”
Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, who did not feature in England’s last-32 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo, was also relaxed about the challenge of playing at altitude.
“You can get a feel for it and take it from there,” he said according to AFP. “We’re a fit group, we’re a ready group, we’re a hungry group.
“We’re in the best possible position we are to face it, so we’re going to give it our all.”
Mexico are not among the favourites to win the World Cup but they boast a frightening record at the iconic Azteca, losing just twice in 89 matches there.
Javier Aguirre’s team, who have played all of their games on home soil so far, have yet to concede a goal in four matches.
England will also have to deal with the fan factor in a nation obsessed with football.
Rogers, 23, was asked at England’s training base whether the players would be packing ear plugs to shut out Mexican supporters intent on disrupting their sleep.
“I’m sure we’ll have that all in order and try and get the best night’s sleep possible,” he said.
“Of course they’re going to make it difficult, you wouldn’t expect anything different. But the fans are so passionate. That should be exciting for us, really. We’re looking forward to it.”
