Back on home soil, the England Women’s Football Team are preparing to defend their Euro title. Euro 2022 being held in England, beginning July 5. Manager Sarina Wiegman has the squad focused and intense as they build towards 1st ever European Championship win. They have their sights firmly set on two important upcoming matches in the Nations League. England will take on Portugal on May 30 at Wembley and Spain on June 3 in Barcelona. With back-to-back victories, a place in the Nations League knockout stage that starts in October is guaranteed.
Wiegman, the coach behind so much of the team’s success, is well aware of what lies ahead. She stated, “Naturally we are preparing for the summer ahead. We saw in February that both Portugal and Spain will provide a big challenge and that excites us. These are the levels we need to compete against to make sure we are the best possible version of ourselves on 5 July when our Euro begins.”
The manager was clear on the importance of keeping their eyes on the bottom line. “At the same time, it is important that we focus first on what is right in front of us and ending the Nations League campaign in the best possible way,” Wiegman added.
Key Player Returns
The squad sees the return of several key players, notably Lauren Hemp, who plays as a winger for Manchester City. Hemp has been quite impressive, making strides after being sidelined for five months with a knee injury. Her experience on the field will certainly add to the team’s dynamic offensive skill set.
Georgia Stanway, England’s brilliant midfielder and Georgia Stanway of Bayern Munich, comes back from January’s knee surgery. Joined by her, Alex Greenwood, a defender for Manchester City, returns to the fold after having knee surgery last December. The return of these players will significantly improve England’s depth heading into their upcoming must-win games.
While these are all very encouraging signs, England has some injury concerns to address. Chelsea forward Lauren James is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Ella Toone and Keira Walsh will continue to be pivotal figures in midfield. The players and Packer are confident that they have turned the corner as they look ahead to final two home matches.
Upcoming Matches
The match against Portugal at Wembley represents a significant opportunity for England to solidify their position in the Nations League. Following this, the team will head to Barcelona to face Spain, another crucial encounter that could influence their momentum heading into the Euros.
With an unpredictable Group C to navigate and the round of 16 to reach, both matches are vitally important encounters. They are critical, too, in hosting the final rehearsals for the Euro city championship. Wiegman’s strategic approach will be crucial in navigating these challenging fixtures while ensuring that players remain focused and ready for the competition ahead.
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