England’s women’s national football team, under the management of Sarina Wiegman, is preparing for a crucial match against Spain in the Nations League. The next Euro 2025 tournament isn’t too far away this summer in Switzerland. With just days to go before Wiegman has to finalise her 23-player squad. The decisive second leg on Tuesday in Barcelona should be one for the ages. This is not only a monumental test against the World Cup-winning Spanish side, it’s the final opportunity for players to make their impression before the big selection.
In their previous encounter in February, England had come out with a narrow 1-0 victory against Spain on home soil at Wembley. That victory has provided an optimistic wind at their back for their ongoing campaign. As they gear up for the rematch, Lucy Bronze has emphasized the importance of focusing on performance against Spain, acknowledging the challenge posed by their opponents.
England’s Recent Performances
The story of England’s Nations League campaign so far has been one of the feel-good stories of 2019. In their second-to-last game of the group stage, they put together a powerful 6-0 thrashing of Portugal. Aggie Beever-Jones was particularly impressive, scoring a hattrick in that match, and demonstrating the attacking prowess of this squad. Not everyone enjoyed the same success on their inaugural trip to the tournament. Lauren James fared to make a big impact against Portugal, and her fitness is in question as the Euros draw nearer.
Wiegman admitted it was difficult to assess players in such a competitive atmosphere. She stated, “We’re pretty close. You still want to go to the game tomorrow and make the final decisions.” This should come as no surprise given her diligent approach as she gets ready to put the finishing touches on her roster.
The upcoming match against Spain serves as both a test and an opportunity for players to demonstrate their readiness for the Euros. Lucy Bronze remarked on the significance of this game: “The Nations League is such a difficult competition,” highlighting the stakes involved.
Squad Selection Insights
Wiegman will name her squad next Thursday. She puts the emphasis on the fact that her picks will be made based on what players are doing over the course of the season, not just what they do in one game against Spain. Bronze echoed this sentiment, stating, “As players, you just have to take what’s in front of you. The squad isn’t being picked based off the actions tomorrow.”
As a coach, Wiegman can determine what each player brings for their club and national team. The increased attention deepens her insights about how they’re performing year after year. With Millie Bright likely to miss the whole tournament through injury, the pressure increases on the rest of the squad. Now it’s their turn to rise to the occasion and prove what they can accomplish!
Bronze shared her worry for teammate Bright, who’s found it a challenge this season. She stated, “We’ve all spoken to Millie through the week, we’re all friends with her and we’ve offered her our support.” Their unity and kinship constantly shines through, revealing each player’s dedication to becoming champions. In addition, they defend each other in adversity, backing each other up with support and reassurance.
Looking Ahead to the Euros
The attempts to defend their Euros title will be a key objective for the side as they approach the summer. As the preparations continue apace, Wiegman is still intent on fine-tuning her squad and their strategy. She noted that despite the pressures of immediate matches, her eyes are set on long-term objectives: “After that whistle blows, it’s the next thing and that’s Euros selection for Sarina.”
As they step into this new phase, the team is keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead. They meet Spain not only to try to earn points in the Nations League. They are making a statement as to how they will go about defending their own title in 2020. The anticipation surrounding Wiegman’s squad selection adds another layer of intensity to Tuesday’s match.
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