Thomas Tuchel has admitted he prefers football matches without World Cup hydration breaks ahead of England's clash with Ghana tonight, claiming the controversial stoppages are having a greater impact on games than he ever expected.
Players at this summer's tournament are required to take a three-minute cooling break midway through each half because of soaring temperatures at a number of venues.
The pauses have proved unpopular with supporters, with boos regularly ringing around stadiums as players gather by the touchline to receive instructions from their coaches.
And England manager Tuchel concedes he has been surprised by just how much the interruptions alter the rhythm of matches.
"I think it interrupts and changes the identity of the football match much more than I thought," the German said ahead of England's Group D clash with Ghana in Boston.
"I had, of course, hydration breaks before. They were needed, but they were shorter. They were shorter and they were just in a few matches.
"Now it is a point of fairness to every team. Now it breaks the match almost in four quarters.
"I think it changes the characteristics of the match more than I thought. I like it as a coach, of course, to have influence and have my team together.
Thomas Tuchel has admitted he prefers football matches without World Cup hydration breaks ahead of England's clash with Ghana tonight, claiming the controversial stoppages are having a greater impact on games than he ever expected
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"But overall I think I like football more when it's played in one go. It builds momentum, it's part of the game."
Tuchel believes the lengthy stoppages make it difficult for teams to establish dominance and maintain pressure during key spells.
"It's hard to build momentum and it's hard to keep the momentum," he explained.
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"It plays out over a longer period of time. It just adds to the characteristic of a beautiful game. This takes away from it.
"But in terms of fairness, of course it makes sense that everyone gets it."
England experienced first-hand how damaging a loss of momentum can be during their 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Tuchel's side were in complete control after taking an early lead, only for their intensity to disappear following the first hydration break as Croatia fought their way back into the contest.
Ironically, England's next outing against Ghana is unlikely to require cooling measures from a weather perspective.
Hydration breaks have been a controversial topic at this summer's World Cup
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The match in Boston will be played under a roof, with temperatures forecast to sit at around 18C and rain expected outside the stadium.
England will look to seal qualification for the knockout stages against Ghana tonight.
The two sides last met back in 2011, with that contest ending honours even.
Andy Carroll put the Three Lions ahead, only for Asamoah Gyan to score late to clinch a draw.