The Lionesses come together before a goalless draw to Portugal. England vs Portugal. Photo Credit: England Football via Twitter.
What could have been a momentous send off for the Lionesses as they head down under competing for the World Cup, turned out to be a very flat and lacklustre game against Portugal. A goalless draw sees England fly out to Australia having failed to score in their last two games.
All eyes were on Sarina Wiegman’s line up yesterday for England vs Portugal, having many decisions to make across the pitch. With Millie Bright still not fully fit, Wiegman opted for a new centre-back pairing of Jess Carter and Esme Morgan. Carter playing central while Alex Greenwood played in the fullback position as opposed to centre-back came as a surprise to many, given the need for experience and stability at the back with Bright’s absence.
Wiegman also had a dilemma up front, with including three strikers in the final 23. As many perhaps expected, she opted to start golden boot winner Rachel Daly in that number nine position, before substituting with Alessia Russo at half time.
The substitutes seemed pre-planned, regardless of performance or result, to give as many players as possible a run out before the Lionesses begin their World Cup journey. For instance, Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles also came on at half-time, replacing Toone and Greenwood, before Laura Coombs and Katie Zelem slotted into midfield, and eventually Katie Robinson replacing Hemp on the wing.
As Wiegman demonstrated, these friendly games are perfect to test player combinations, hand out minutes, and build up match fitness and sharpness. The Lionesses certainly looked as if they were playing a friendly game. It raises the question of whether they should have treated this like a knock-out semi-final, brought that same grit that we saw in the Euros, and know they are capable of. They’ll certainly need it in the World Cup.
A lack of recent minutes and match fitness was so obviously highlighted in this game, not just physically but mentally too. Decision making seemed to be slow at times, with players such as Lauren Hemp often hesitant whether to drive down the wing or pass inside, which slowed down England’s attack. There were some ill-judged moments: a back-pass to Mary Earps which she failed to control and rolled just wide of the net, which left England a little shaken up and cautious. Players also seemed doubtful at times to tackle- with so many of their teammates unavailable, injury will certainly be at the back of their minds. The Lionesses can’t afford to lose anyone else.
It’s important to remember that this England side are still getting used to playing alongside one another. This is a different team to the Euro champions last summer. That’s not just with players unavailable through injuring and younger players coming through, but also players who were relied on as ‘super-subs’ in the Euros, who are now starting, such as Ella Toone. The roles of individual players and how they impact the game has obviously changed.
The match remained goalless despite the Lionesses registering 23 shots throughout the game. But with only 8 on target, the rustiness of the squad going forward was prominent. Players like Ella Toone weren’t afraid to shoot from far out, and had this been in the middle of the season, the chances are that it would have gone in. Despite finding all the spaces, Rachel Daly seemed to be lacking that clinical edge, and Russo also failed to find the back of the net.
Portugal didn’t seem too much of a threat attacking-wise, but England forwards struggled against their stubborn defence. The Lionesses did have their chances, with both Stanway and Bronze hitting the bar, and Russo being denied by a goal-line block, but just lacked that composure in front of net.
Despite the disappointing scoreline, there were plenty of positives from Wiegman to take away from the game, with her insisting that England are still “in a very good place”, despite the draw. The centre-back pairing Morgan and Carter seemed comfortable together despite the lack of experience, Morgan playing with such composure and Jess Carter using her physical strength to dominate the Portuguese front line. With Millie Bright due a return before England’s opening game against Haiti, it seems evident that she would start at the back, however it would give Wiegman confidence that these younger players can step up, when relied upon.
Chelsea’s upcoming star Lauren James was another standout player last night. With uncertainty over whether she would start in place of Chloe Kelly, she certainly showed why she deserved to be named in the line-up. James’ physicality and pace means she can drive the ball up the pitch and find players to cross it into the number nine. In particular, she seems to have formed a natural connection with attacking fullback Lucy Bronze down that right hand side.
At half-time, Wiegman dropped James into a deeper number 10 position, opting to take off Toone and give Chloe Kelly some minutes. This meant that she created good link-up play with both Russo and Kelly. Whilst James naturally plays in a wider position, she tends to cut inside and either cross or shoot, eliminating herself as that wide player to play the ball down the wing. Playing her more centrally, especially with her technicality and strength, means she can carry the ball up the pitch and either play it wide or directly to the number nine. So, whilst many may be deliberating over who starts out of James or Kelly, it may be worth bringing other midfielders into the debate, such as Toone.
This match has only sparked further debate over England’s starting line up for the World Cup, rather than confirming. A headache for Sarina Wiegman- but a good one, created by the level of talent in the squad. The biggest talking point is probably the starting number nine, over Russo or Daly. With Rachel Daly taking the number nine shirt in yesterday’s match, it seems to be hinting that she will take that position, with Russo maintaining her role as an impact sub. In games where the Lionesses will struggle to break through defences, Daly has the ability to find pockets of space between centre-backs and create a goal out of nowhere. Whilst every player wants to be in that starting 11, Wiegman has reiterated how every player’s role in the team is equally important.
We also can’t forget about Beth England- fresh in the squad for the first time since September. If we’re talking about super-subs, she’s a ruthless striker who has been quite literally game-changing for Spurs this season, and will be hoping to be given the opportunity to do the same for her country.
England will fly out to the World Cup having failed to win their last two games. With just one more game behind closed doors versus Canada, their opening game against Haiti is less than three weeks away. With Sarina Wiegman content with the squad and players returning from injury such as Millie Bright and Jordan Nobbs, we’ll be hoping to see the Lionesses we know and love, as they begin their World Cup journey down under.
Written by Emily Cleland.
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