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It’s fair to say that England’s group stage at this European Championship was a bit of a rollercoaster. After losing their opener to France, the Lionesses knew any misstep could be fatal in their bid to retain their title and, as such, they were essentially flawless, battering the Netherlands 4-0 while under the highest pressure and then following up with a 6-1 thrashing of Wales to punch their ticket to the quarter-finals.
Next up are Sweden, who England faced in the last four of Euro 2022. Peter Gerhardsson’s side are extremely experienced, packed with talent and have reached at least the semi-finals in six of their last seven major tournaments. They know how to navigate these knockout rounds.
But England are well-versed in what it takes, too, and will be confident that they can get the job done on Thursday, having found their groove in their last two outings in particular. So, how will Sarina Wiegman approach the challenge from a team selection perspective? بالجم takes a look at how the Lionesses side should line up in Zurich…
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Hampton hasn’t been particularly busy in the England goal so far this tournament, despite only keeping one clean sheet in three games. There was little she could do about any of the three goals conceded and her distribution has been excellent, with there no reason to expect, or demand, a change at this position.
Since starting the tournament with a tough evening out against club-mate Sandy Baltimore, Bronze has been solid. The Chelsea star doesn’t have much competition for her place in this England team in truth, but there is no question about her place in this starting XI as the Lionesses prepare to go into the knockout stages, where Bronze’s experience could be particularly vital.
No England player has won possession more often than Williamson at this tournament, with the captain settling into her groove nicely after the defensive issues that plagued the Lionesses’ first outing. She’s shown a good understanding with her new centre-back partner, Carter, and will hope to continue that as she prepares for an individual battle against Arsenal team-mate Stina Blackstenius in the quarter-finals.
Since being moved from left-back to centre-back, the role she plays regularly at club level, Carter has looked much more assured. Against France, she was exposed for a lack of pace, allowing Les Bleues to cause chaos down England’s left. Wiegman changed things ahead of the clash with the Netherlands, in which Carter was arguably England’s best defender, and there is no reason to alter a formula that has made the Lionesses look more secure at the back.
Greenwood might not be used as a left-back at club level anymore, having grown into a world-class centre-back, but she is the player in this England squad with the best understanding of a position that lacks natural options – something she has proved in the Lionesses’ last two outings. The 31-year-old will have her toughest challenge since the switch on Thursday, when she faces the rapid pace of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, but she remains the England player best-placed to perform in this role.
Walsh enjoyed her best performance of the tournament so far against Wales, impressing with her line-breaking passes as England successfully, and repeatedly, overcame the challenges presented by their neighbours’ low-block. Thursday’s game will require some more of that, as Sweden are very well-organised defensively, but she’ll also be tested a little more off the ball. Given her world-class quality, one would back her to step up, though.
That Wiegman didn’t opt to bring Stanway off with one of her five subs against Wales suggests that the midfielder’s fitness is in a good place after her recent return from a knee injury. Some wondered if the Lionesses’ boss might put Grace Clinton in for that game, considering England’s status as heavy favourites and Stanway’s long spell on the sidelines, but the Bayern Munich star played 90 minutes in another strong step forward. It’d be a shock to see Wiegman opt for that rotation here, given how valuable Stanway’s experience is.
It was important for Wiegman to make some sort of change in midfield after the 2-1 defeat to France and the one she opted for, which saw Toone come into that area as James moved out wide, had exactly the desired impact. Having been unlucky not to make the first XI of the tournament given her recent form, the مانشستر يونايتد star has been outstanding since, with two goals and two assists in two games. She deserves to keep her place and her withdrawal at half-time against Wales suggests she will.
Eyebrows were raised when James started England’s opener, simply because many didn’t know if she would be fit enough to do so. However, she has since proved that not only is she fit but extremely sharp, with arguably no-one standing out more for the Lionesses in the group stage.
Still, it has been vital for Wiegman to rest the Chelsea winger over the course of the opening phase, something made easier by the dominant scorelines against the Netherlands and Wales. Removed with 20 minutes to play in the former win and over half an hour remaining last time out, she should be nice and fresh for the clash with Sweden.
After making a good start to the Euros in general, Russo finally got her first goal of the tournament against Wales in a moment that she, and England, will hope opens the floodgates as the Lionesses move into the knockout rounds. Aggie Beever-Jones, second in the No.9 pecking order, did also score off the bench in that game but there’s no reason to call for change in this position, with Russo having also assisted three goals in the group stage.
Another player who got a good chunk of rest thanks to the big win over Wales last time out was Hemp, who was withdrawn at half-time after netting her first goal of the tournament to make it 3-0. It felt important for Wiegman to do that, given the مانشستر سيتي winger is another who only returned from knee surgery recently and because she will be a vital cog in this England attack as the knockout stages begin. Hemp’s pace in transition could be particularly significant, in a quarter-final that is likely to see momentum swing back and forth.
