Tuchel was predictably upbeat about the win against Andorra, even though thousands of fans inside Villa Park voted with their feet, leaving well before the end.
He described this meeting with Serbia as “proof of concept” – and it will certainly be a more accurate measure of the direction England are taking under Tuchel than knocking aside stubborn minnows such as Andorra, ranked 174th in the world.
And Tuchel has no doubts, despite the evidence of laboured performances, that he is on the right track, saying: “I see what I see. I feel what I feel. I am convinced we will get better and better.”
He added: “We prepare for everything, we are in a very emotional sporting country – they have world class sportsmen, amazing talents in football and will have quality. We will face individual quality and a lot of emotion.
“It is our first away game together in a traditional stadium. I think the occasion will bring out the best in us.”
Tuchel’s job is simple. Win the World Cup, hence the 18-month contract and the belief he will then move on, irrespective of the outcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
And Tuchel has certainly upped the ante in public, suggesting this latest camp is a new phase of his World Cup planning, saying: “It was always in my head, on a white piece of paper, to use the first two camps to learn a lot and then use camps three, four and five for more competition and narrow it down.”
Tuchel has been using Kane as his striker, but whether he adopts a different system from the 4-4-1-1 shape remains to be seen, having utilised three central defenders in his coaching career.
With the clock ticking down, international camps at a premium and every moment with his players vital, the visit to Serbia is not only the toughest qualifier England will face – it is the ideal opportunity for Tuchel to put a personal stamp on the side, with so far little sign of an upgrade on what Southgate was delivering when he reached successive Euros finals.
Tuchel’s England have yet to fully reveal themselves with good performances; expected victories but pallid displays have even hinted at regression as opposed to progression.
Serbia, on their own territory, will present the sort of challenge that will be informative for both Tuchel and those seeking indications.