analysis
England impressively silently silently silently silently silently. Trainer Sarina Wiegman and her team impressively back in the 4-0 win against the Netherlands and now have everything in their own hands again.
Actually, the press conference had just ended after the game. A journalist Sarina Wiegman quickly drew attention to the 1-1 of Wales against France, which flickered over the screen in the PK room. The head coach smiled: “Lovely! Who met?” It was Jess Fishlock.
The woman from the BBC connected her hint with one question: “How is your plan against Wales?” Wiegman grinned broadly: “Our analysts have long been back in the hotel to look at the game. I’m late. If you let me go now, I can still work on the plan.” And everyone who keeps it with England laughed.
The Defending champion beat back
The 1-2 opening defeat against France had left traces with the defending champion. There have already been the first questions about a crisis because the European Championship qualification and the Nations League had not been as desired. However, it was also cheated that the Dutchman should not be criticized too hard before the popular trainer would come up with the idea of returning to her home country.
“We knew from the start that we were in a very hard group and that we could come in such a situation. We did not make the defeat a disaster.”
But: Wiegman’s team once again showed qualities against the Netherlands and come back – “Bounce Back” could often be heard that evening in the press conference room of the Falzigrund Stadium in Zurich. There have never been two defeats in a row for the “Lionesses” since the Dutchman was her national coach.
“We had a lot of conversations. Another defeat would have had huge consequences”the 55-year-old reported, who admitted that the situation was not only hard for the team, but also for herself. “I was excited and was under tension. But I focused on my job.”
Curious picture on the sidelines
Your team played as if transformed. With much more control over the game, because the English managers almost completely managed to avoid the Dutch pressing. But also through significantly more use.
Wiegmann lived in front of her when she tended through her coaching zone. Due to the career around the field, it measures 15×10 meters at the European Championship – and the trainer just had to make meters between the edge of the field and her seat.
England’s national coach Sarina Wiegman in her coaching zone.
James does what she can do best
Lauren James put England in the lead with a stroke of genius. “When the ball left her foot, we all knew that it would go in. That makes them constantly in training”said Alessia Russo and added: “When we play like today, the following applies: ‘The sky is the limit.'” The center forward was voted the player of the game with three goals and an unknown her own goal.
Just like Russo and James, who still succeeded, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also stood out. But not because she kept her box clean. In truth, it was hardly ever checked. However, the keeper from Chelsea FC sent the trip twice with her precise discounts, which then prepared the goals.
Wiegman doesn’t want to take Wales lightly on the shoulder
When asked whether she would be rotated against Wales in the starting eleven to give some players a break and other season, Wiegman had waved off before the Welsh women equalized: “It will be a difficult game, we have to show a very good performance again.”
England no longer has the group victory in his own hands. France is ahead with six points after the Wales game. England now has the best chance of the quarter -finals before the final group game against the British neighbors on Sunday (9 p.m.). Or to say it in Wiegman’s words: “Lovely”.