It’s 20 years since England last played Tunisia in their opening fixture of the World Cup in France. The game was remembered more for the trouble in Marseille beforehand rather than the comfortable 2-0 victory for Glen Hoddle’s men.
Following England’s dreadful display in Brazil 2014, expectations are naturally much lower than previous years. However, it’s still anticipated that Gareth Southgate’s team will progress from the group containing Panama, Belgium and Tunisia.
The latter two teams will be the most likely to deny this from happening and whilst plenty is known about Belgium, it’s Tunisia that could provide a surprise in a difficult encounter. They may be 45th in the world rankings but they have set their own target of the quarter-finals.
Tunisia have lost just once in their last 10 matches and that was to Spain, which proved to be the final game under Julen Lopetegui. Manager Nabil Maaloul has united the squad after injuries to key personnel and his decision to introduce the French-born players.
He has also illustrated tactical flexibility with his side predominantly utilising three at the back during qualification but have now switched to 4-2–3-1 in recent weeks. The new additions and those missing will have helped change the formation, although it shows he is willing to adapt his ideas to fit with what he has available.
Experienced goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi captains the team, with the centre-back partnership of Syam Ben Youssef and Yassine Merieh ahead of him. Right-back Dylan Bronn should get the shirt over Hamdi Nagguez, but both like to get forward and supply crosses.
Tunisia 1-0 Egypt
Tunisia 1-0 Costa Rica
Portugal 2-2 Tunisia
Spain 1-0 Tunisia
Probably won't be the stroll in the park that some are expecting.
Oussama Haddadi of Dijon will be at left-back, with Ali Maaloul the latest to be ruled out. Haddadi is a little more conservative than the natural style of both his club and national side.
Leicester City’s Yohan Benalouane and Dundee United’s Bilel Mohsni provide defensive cover. Benalouane has been at the King Power Stadium for the last three years, although he was an appearance short of the five required to qualify for a Premier League winners medal.
Holding midfielder Ellyes Skhiri appears lanky and awkward but has good vision and is extremely efficient at intercepting the ball. He contributed to Montpellier having the second best defensive record in Ligue One last season.
Alongside him they have Ferjani Sassi, who will also aim to protect the defence and allow the more attacking players the freedom to express themselves. Mohamed Ben Amor has previously featured regularly as the single pivot at the base of Tunisia’s midfield, but he has fell out of favour in the new system.
The attacking four all depend on the availability of Wahbi Kahzri, who will lead the line if he passes a late fitness test. Tunisia don’t currently use a traditional number nine and if the Sunderland-owned forward doesn’t make it, then Naim Sliti will aim to replicate his roaming style.
Sliti scored four goals in his last five games for Dijon and will return to his parent side Lille after the competition. Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Saif-Eddine Khaoui and Anice Badri will all compete for the attacking trio behind the main forward, with Badri forcing his way into the line-up after scoring against both Portugal and Turkey in the build-up.
“We know very well we are in an extremely tough group, but we have raised our game, especially in terms of our athleticism,” says Maaloul. “Everyone has seen how well we have played in the warm-ups. We are determined to go down in history.”
