ShareEngland face Croatia behind closed doors on Saturday, and Thomas Tuchel is wary of a pre-season vibe creeping in.Thomas Tuchel has urged his England players not to "switch off and be in a holiday mood" ahead of their behind-closed-doors Nations League clash with Croatia.England bounced back from their defeat to Spain with a 2-0 victory over Czechia last time out, leaving them second in Group A3.The Three Lions have won six of their last eight Nations League matches (L2), scoring 20 goals in the process. That is more wins (W5 D6 L7) and goals (18) than they managed in their first 18 games in the competition.England have also won five of their last seven matches against Croatia in all competitions (D1 L1), scoring at least four goals in three of those wins (4-1 in September 2008, 5-1 in September 2009, 4-2 in June 2026).History is also on the line for Tuchel's side; a win in this game would see them equal their record of nine away wins in a row between December 1965 and October 1967 under Alf Ramsey.However, Saturday's match is being played mostly behind closed doors due to crowd disturbances involving Croatia fans during a Nations League match against France in March 2025. There is an exception for schoolchildren, plus 100 travelling England supporters."To be behind closed doors, it's never nice. It's a strange atmosphere," said Tuchel."Everyone would love the atmosphere in the stadium – a proper football crowd which would be very, very different. This is a part we have to take into consideration."We cannot switch off and be in holiday mood. It might feel a bit like pre-season but it's not. It's a crucial match in the Nations League."We expect a difficult match against a big football nation and a proud country – a side full of quality. A mix of young and experienced players with a young coach."Everyone will be ready to give all for the new coach."Much of the limelight during the international break has been taken away by Manchester City, who were found guilty of all the serious charges that were brought against them in 2023 by the Premier League.While the potential sanctions have not been revealed, with City also appealing the decision made by an independent commission, relegation is not off the table.With City stars Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson in the England squad, Tuchel insisted he would not be opposed to selecting players if they were playing in a lower division."There is always a possibility," said the England boss."I would always try to pick the best team for the camp, occasion, the tournament. I will never rule out that because they don't play in the top flight in their country."We need to look at it case by case."England face Croatia behind closed doors on Saturday, and Thomas Tuchel is wary of a pre-season vibe creeping in.Thomas Tuchel has urged his England players not to "switch off and be in a holiday mood" ahead of their behind-closed-doors Nations League clash with Croatia.England bounced back from their defeat to Spain with a 2-0 victory over Czechia last time out, leaving them second in Group A3.The Three Lions have won six of their last eight Nations League matches (L2), scoring 20 goals in the process. That is more wins (W5 D6 L7) and goals (18) than they managed in their first 18 games in the competition.England have also won five of their last seven matches against Croatia in all competitions (D1 L1), scoring at least four goals in three of those wins (4-1 in September 2008, 5-1 in September 2009, 4-2 in June 2026).History is also on the line for Tuchel's side; a win in this game would see them equal their record of nine away wins in a row between December 1965 and October 1967 under Alf Ramsey.However, Saturday's match is being played mostly behind closed doors due to crowd disturbances involving Croatia fans during a Nations League match against France in March 2025. There is an exception for schoolchildren, plus 100 travelling England supporters."To be behind closed doors, it's never nice. It's a strange atmosphere," said Tuchel."Everyone would love the atmosphere in the stadium – a proper football crowd which would be very, very different. This is a part we have to take into consideration."We cannot switch off and be in holiday mood. It might feel a bit like pre-season but it's not. It's a crucial match in the Nations League."We expect a difficult match against a big football nation and a proud country – a side full of quality. A mix of young and experienced players with a young coach."Everyone will be ready to give all for the new coach."Much of the limelight during the international break has been taken away by Manchester City, who were found guilty of all the serious charges that were brought against them in 2023 by the Premier League.While the potential sanctions have not been revealed, with City also appealing the decision made by an independent commission, relegation is not off the table.With City stars Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson in the England squad, Tuchel insisted he would not be opposed to selecting players if they were playing in a lower division."There is always a possibility," said the England boss."I would always try to pick the best team for the camp, occasion, the tournament. I will never rule out that because they don't play in the top flight in their country."We need to look at it case by case."