Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses want to ‘improve’ and ‘learn from’ upcoming friendly against Brazil, with all sights set on the 2027 World Cup.
Wiegman was joined by Alex Greenwood this morning as they spoke to the media ahead of the European Champions’ friendly against Brazil, kicking off at 17:30 on Saturday at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The sides last faced each other in the 2023 Finalissima, with England beating the South American Champions on penalties. Since then, both teams have won their fair share of silverware — Brazil picked up a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as retaining their Copa América title, and England secured their second European Championship. A friendly on paper, maybe, but it’s set to be an intriguing encounter.
Wiegman provides updates on England squad
Wiegman provided an update on the fitness and availability of two players ahead of Saturday’s game. Lotte Wubben-Moy has withdrawn due to illness and is recovering at home. Yashin Trophy winner Hannah Hampton has a small elbow injury and will not be available for tomorrow, although she is still in “modified” training with the rest of the goalkeepers.
Hampton missing out will mean a senior debut for one of England’s other goalkeepers — Anna Moorhouse, Khiara Keating, or Sophie Baggaley, who has been called up to bolster the ranks.
Lionesses look to new challenges
Having spent the last few years focusing on conquering Europe, Wiegman and her squad are at the beginning of a new chapter as they face more varied opposition outside of the continent.
Wiegman relishes this challenge, saying, “It’s good to play a country outside of Europe to give some information.”
“I think Brazil and other countries play a little more transitional than the way we play, a little less direct. It’s good to get that in front of you so we can experience that, improve on that and learn from it.”
Speaking more specifically about the threat that this Brazilian team poses, Wiegman said, “They’re very physical and athletic. They have a lot of pace up front. They can play football, but they also really want to play fast forward, a more opportune game, so that will challenge us. What we’re trying to do is stay out of the fights a little bit to play football, but they go one-on-one and they want to challenge, and they want to get into those duels.”
European Champions keep moving forward
With attention turning to their next milestone, the team are conscious of celebrating their achievements but never standing still.
“What we always do is, of course celebrate, but also review. What went well? What do have to improve? What are the trends?”
“We never push away what we’ve achieved because that’s very special, and we’ll always cherish that, but we have to move forwards. We are already moving forward as we have a game tomorrow, and of course we want to stay on top.”
Greenwood agreed, “It’s still important to enjoy what we did in the summer. We haven’t just turned up and forgot about it. But the next challenge is tomorrow, and the next three games after that.”
Wiegman aware of expectation on Lionesses
Success on the pitch brings expectation and pressure off it – and although the next few blocks will be friendlies, as always Wiegman and her squad will be put under the microscope for their performances — good, bad or in between.
She insists they do their best to shut out that noise, explaining, “I can’t control that and I think, you’re so visible, you all have your opinions and that’s okay. I’m trying to do the best for the team and get the best team on the pitch, and also see things in these four games. Of course we always play to win but now we’re also playing to develop.”
She continued, “You don’t get that many opportunities anymore in international windows. So now we have these friendlies, and yes of course we want to win every single game but it’s now also an opportunity to try out things and to see many players and combinations.”
Greenwood was asked whether losing out in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 would be a motivating factor in going all the way in 2027.
“I mean of course, it is far away, and I wouldn’t say it’s at the forefront of my mind right now, there’s so much to do before then, but I’d also be lying if I didn’t say it’s something I’d thought about,” the defender said.
“The team’s all so motivated to do that, but I think we take each step as it comes and I think we have some challenges before then and quite a lot of preparation as well.”
Lucy Bronze ‘so tough’ praises Wiegman
Lucy Bronze is available for the game tomorrow, but due to her ongoing recovery from the fractured tibia she played the entire Euros with, it remains to be seen how much she’ll feature. But, her importance to the squad is undeniable, and on Thursday it was announced she’d been voted England Women’s Player of the Year.
Wiegman spoke about her impact and what makes her so valuable, highlighting, “I think her consistency and the way she expresses herself and conducts herself on and off the pitch. She’s so tough. She has such a huge contribution. I think she impacts some of the players’ lives just by helping them and supporting them whenever they need something.
“But at the same time, she has great levels, of course on the pitch and that’s the reason I pick her, but when all these extras come in it really helps the team moving forward.”
Greenwood added, “She does so much with the team that goes unnoticed from everybody else and she definitely makes our lives a lot easier that’s for sure.”
Maya Le Tissier ‘most likely to play right back’ insists Wiegman
Wiegman’s previous comments on Maya Le Tissier’s position within the squad have been a hot topic in recent weeks, with even the Manchester United social admin taking to Instagram and X to confirm that in their eyes, she’ll always be a centre back.
But the Dutchwoman is not to be swayed from her view on the 23-year-old, and would not be drawn on the stir that her comments created.
“I don’t react on social media. But yes I watch Maya all the time too, and I think she does a great job, and she does a great job for us too. I think how our team is built at the moment, with the players we have, she’s most likely to play right back.
“I said in the past couple of weeks, she can play as a right centre back and she does a really good job there for Manchester United, and she does a good job for us too, but that’s how we as England and how I as a coach look at it at this moment in our team.”
