Wiegman 'Happy' with Selection - But Did It Pay Off?
During the match, players like Tottenham's Jess Naz, Manchester City's Jess Park, and United captain Maya Le Tissier came off the bench, while Greenwood replaced Williamson around the hour mark. However, the starting XI was similar to the one that drew 0-0 with Sweden in July, with seven of the eleven having featured in the Euro 2022 final against Germany.
In the lead-up to England's 4-3 defeat against Germany, much attention was given to head coach Sarina Wiegman’s team selection. With several regular starters underperforming in domestic leagues, questions arose about her choices. Captain Leah Williamson retained her position despite calls for Alex Greenwood of Manchester City to replace her, but Williamson struggled and was substituted in the second half. Additionally, in-form midfielder Grace Clinton did not see any action during the match.
Wiegman faced scrutiny regarding her lineup but remained steadfast in her decisions, expressing that she had no regrets. "I'm happy with the starting XI and the team," she said, acknowledging the ongoing competition for places within the squad. She emphasized the importance of evaluating different players, stating, "What we wanted is to see other players, which we did, and we know there is huge competition going on. That is good for the team."
As this match marked the first of four friendlies in 2024, Wiegman has opportunities to experiment with her squad, including an upcoming fixture against South Africa. Despite the potential for adjustments, this game felt like a reliance on established players—a strategy that ultimately did not yield the desired results.
Following the match, England left Wembley Stadium with more questions than answers regarding their defensive frailties and overall performance. While Wiegman expressed satisfaction with her lineup, the outcome and the manner of the defeat raised doubts about whether her selection was the right one in this critical preparation phase for Euro 2025.
