Sarina Wiegman made nine changes to her starting XI in the Arnold Clark Cup match against Spain, after a 1-1 draw to Olympic champions Canada on Thursday evening. The heavy rotation was a surprise, especially considering it left out key players like midfielders Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh and winger Lauren Hemp, and included debut goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Wiegman has repeatedly said she’s using this tournament to test the players she has in her squad, and how they play together in different combinations over seeking victory. This choice feels a little contentious for those eager to watch wins over big teams and build confidence and hype ahead of a home Euros – but arguably Wiegman’s main job is to prepare the players to do the best they can in the summer, and she’s doing that her way.
Wiegman has form: she was also appointed head coach to the Netherlands less than a year out from a home Euros in 2017, who then went on to win it. The situation is different here in several respects – she had been both interim and assistant coach there, and in the past four years women’s football has made huge strides in quality across Europe – but if there’s anyone who can shape an already deep and talented Lionesses squad into a team who can go far in the summer, she can.
Wiegman’s choice of players paid off: a goalless draw against bookies’ favourites Spain is nothing to be sniffed at. She played the team probably most suited to a high press. Midfielders Jill Scott and Jordan Nobbs, who both have the highest work rates in the squad despite being at opposite ends of the leg length spectrum, held their ground against one of the best midfield trios in the world in Alexia Putellas, Patricia Guijarro and Aitana Bonmatí. Alex Greenwood and Rachel Daly were the only two to start against both Canada and Spain and both played the full match, keeping the Spanish frontline contained and progressing the ball well up the pitch. Jess Carter continued her great season and made some vital blocks in Spain’s final third. Lucy Bronze just about managed to keep Player of the Match Athenea del Castillo from scoring, and progressed the ball up the right wing. The Lionesses’ weakness continues to lie in the final third: despite excellent wingers in Hemp, Mead, Kirby and Parris, the quality and composure in front of goal is still missing. However, it would be rude to do a disservice to Spain’s defensive line: Mapí Leon in particular made some great challenges when England progressed the ball further up the pitch.
In perhaps Wiegman’s boldest choice, Hannah Hampton made her Lionesses debut in goal in this match. Spain’s attacking line contains Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso – both key to Barcelona’s UWCL win, and are a formidable pair even in their national team. However, Hampton proved herself wonderfully, making some fantastic saves and staying calm and collected in front of goal. With both teams playing with a high press, her excellent distribution came in handy. She also grew up in Spain for some of her childhood and her ability to understand what the Spanish players were saying she thinks may have helped. Either way, she was a fantastic goalkeeper today, describing the experience as a “dream come true”.
It will be interesting to see who Wiegman starts against Germany, the team that would be the projected quarter-finalists match up for the Lionesses should everything go to plan at the Euros. This tournament is still wide open, with all three matches so far ending in draws. As Wiegman said in the press conference post-match, “You don’t win the Euros today. You won’t win the Euros on Wednesday, but it’s good [to play] these games to develop and be exposed at the highest level.” Ahead of a Euros with some of the best talent in the world, there’s a lot of developing and learning to do. The team trusts her process, and follows her lead. I’ll be doing the same.