England’s recent match against the USA highlighted defensive progress and tactical changes ahead of Euro 2025.
Former England player Karen Carney expressed hope for improvement, and it seems the team made some progress. They changed their formation and returned to a style that worked well during the World Cup. This helped them defend against the Olympic champions effectively.
Although the match wasn’t perfect, it was better than their previous loss to Germany. Wiegman noted that the team is learning and needs to keep improving as they prepare for the Euros next summer.
USA coach Emma Hayes expected a strong response from England, and she got it, even though England only had one shot on target. The USA had a goal disallowed for offside and a penalty overturned, showing they were more threatening.
England’s defense, which faced criticism earlier, performed well. Goalkeeper Mary Earps, who started instead of Hannah Hampton, made several important saves. She helped organize the defense in a 4-4-2 formation, similar to what they used during their World Cup run.
Earps mentioned that the team communicated well throughout the game, which was crucial for their success. While they didn’t want to celebrate a draw, they were pleased with the defensive effort and looked forward to improving before the Euros.
Earps acknowledged that it has been a challenging year for the team, but this match was a step forward. They are still figuring out their style for Euro 2025, but keeping the USA scoreless was a positive sign.
Wiegman wanted to experiment with the lineup, and she made several changes. Players like Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter switched positions, and new roles were given to others, which seemed to strengthen the defense.
The change to a 4-4-2 formation added stability. Wiegman noted that they are trying to adapt and improve after previous games. Greenwood agreed that the changes worked well at times, but there is still room for improvement.
Despite the defensive improvements, England struggled to create scoring chances. The absence of injured players like Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone affected their attack. Former England striker Ian Wright pointed out that the team seemed content with a draw, which was disappointing.
Wiegman, however, was not worried. She emphasized that the team aimed to win and needed to focus on their opponent. While they tried to score, the game’s flow dictated their actions. In the second half, they gained more momentum but still faced challenges in creating opportunities.
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