Simply days after beating Belgium in one among England’s higher current performances, how did the Lionesses lose 3-2 in Leuven – and is it indicative of wider points?
In a topsy-turvy recreation in Belgium, Laura De Neve’s free-kick noticed the Pink Flames forward. However two fast objectives from Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby – scoring on her first worldwide begin in over a yr – noticed England in entrance.
Tessa Wullaert then scored twice – as soon as on the finish of the primary half and once more from the penalty spot after Georgia Stanway’s handball – to see Belgium to a well-known victory.
It has made England’s hopes of reaching the Nations League finals – and the 2024 Olympics – that a lot tougher, with the Lionesses now third in Group A1.
However simply how did Sarina Wiegman’s aspect go from profitable 1-0 in Leicester on Friday, to a dismal 3-2 defeat 4 days later towards the identical opposition.
What has occurred to England’s defence?
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England goalkeeper Mary Earps says the squad are ‘bitterly dissatisfied’ with their efficiency within the 3-2 loss to Belgium within the Ladies’s Nations League.
For almost all of Wiegman’s tenure, England’s defences might barely be breached. On their approach to the Euro 2022 title, they solely conceded twice towards Spain and Germany.
The truth is, it has solely been for the reason that World Cup quarter-finals that the Lionesses have struggled with maintaining the objectives out – all whereas having one of many world’s greatest goalkeepers in between the sticks.
For the reason that recreation towards Colombia, England have stored only one clear sheet in seven video games. In Belgium on Tuesday, they conceded three objectives in a recreation beneath Wiegman for the primary time.
Some might level to current defensive adjustments – the Lionesses switched to a again three halfway by the World Cup which aided their attacking play, however didn’t at all times present the solidity wanted on the different finish. It has been a change between a 3 and 4 since.
Niamh Charles has additionally just lately are available in at left-back after her high quality begin to the season with Chelsea, though the full-back place is arguably the place England wrestle at instances.
Whereas normally seeing loads of the ball, the full-backs push increased up, leaving England uncovered in defence. That was clear for Wullaert’s first objective, with Charles and Bronze unable to get again to supply a lot assist.
It then doesn’t assist the 2 centre backs, particularly when dealing with a workforce who proved to be lightening fast on the counter-attack as Belgium are. “They don’t seem to be enjoying a possession recreation, as quickly as they win it they’re gone,” Wiegman instructed ITV Sport.
In fact, poor passes in midfield doesn’t assist this example both, however England didn’t appear ready for the Pink Flames’ assault, regardless of having confronted the identical workforce simply days earlier than.
There continues to be questions requested concerning the Lionesses defence, and haven’t appeared convincing in a while. Maybe after one among their heaviest defeats beneath Wiegman, it could drive change or on the very least, gamers the possibility to replicate and enhance on their very own performances.
No drawback creating probabilities in Leuven – now ending them is the problem
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Sky Sports activities’ Anton Toloui analyses the Lionesses’ 3-2 loss to Belgium within the Ladies’s Nations League.
It was clear from the response of gamers and administration they knew what was lacking from England’s attacking efficiency in Leuven.
“We had a couple of probabilities to place the sport to mattress, if we would been just a little bit extra medical,” Lucy Bronze instructed ITV4. “We wanted to do higher within the remaining third,” Wiegman added.
Alessia Russo, Kirby and Rachel Daly will all look again on missed alternatives which might have painted a really totally different image for the Lionesses’ Nations League hopes.
Extra broadly, even when England weren’t testing Nicky Evrard, that they had a lot of the ball in attacking areas at different instances however had been let down by an overhit remaining move or poor supply into the field.
England have to be higher – and Russo will shoulder plenty of the accountability. She has began three of the Lionesses’ 4 Nations League video games however scored solely as soon as and she or he missed a sitter earlier than half-time in Belgium.
Is it time to take a look at an alternative choice to lead the road? Daly was the WSL’s high scorer final season and has netted twice for Villa this time period regardless of their powerful begin.
She should really feel she’s price a beginning berth by the center, a chance she hasn’t been afforded since July.
The one optimistic for England and Wiegman is that England are again to creating probabilities. However till they begin placing them away, that’s little comfort.
Did Greenwood’s harm have a detrimental impact?
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Alex Greenwood was handled on the pitch for 13 minutes following a conflict of heads
In some ways, sure. Not due to the incident itself, though it should absolutely have affected the gamers to see their team-mate and pal stretchered off, however her defensive qualities had been sorely missed.
Greenwood was one among England’s greatest gamers at a typically underwhelming World Cup for different members of the squad. Though England’s defence has struggled in current video games, there’s a consolation understanding Greenwood is there to have an important affect.
Maybe this was greatest demonstrated with two first half probabilities for Wullaert. The primary inside six minutes noticed the Belgium captain drive by after a sloppy midfield move. Nevertheless, Greenwood simply dropped again to play Wullaert offside and the flag finally went up.
Later, as Wullaert raced by to equalise for Belgium, neither Millie Vivid or Jess Carter might get near the striker. Whereas positioning would even have been totally different, Greenwood’s tactical considering and defensive talents had been definitely missed in that second.
Her skill on the ball and the next errors made in her absence had been an enormous a part of the Lionesses downfall too, with Lucy Bronze telling ITV Sport: “Alex having to return off when she’s one among our key ball gamers did not assist, however an identical factor occurred towards Holland after we gave the ball away too simply.”
Hopefully, Greenwood will get better nicely from her concussion and be out there for England’s very important remaining Nations League video games in December. It is clear she will likely be sorely missed in any other case.
Stanway struggles hamper England
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Georgia Stanway had a tricky night time in Leuven and gave away the penalty which earned Belgium their late win over the Lionesses
It was an evening to overlook for Georgia Stanway. Her poor midfield passes allowed Wullaert by twice – the second time leading to Belgium’s equaliser – and her handball gifted the Pink Flames a late penalty for his or her winner.
There was little protest from Stanway too – she knew that she had not moved her arm out of the best way quickly sufficient.
Whereas many people struggled towards Belgium, Stanway’s errors arguably led to essentially the most essential moments. There isn’t a doubting her skill and she or he has stepped up for England in key video games, however the Bayern Munich midfield will need to have felt like every little thing went towards her on Tuesday – and it typically did.
Talking concerning the workforce total after the sport, Wiegman instructed ITV Sport: “We now have to be tight, particularly constructing, creating. At moments the place we do not anticipate to lose the ball – we weren’t adequate at maintaining it at the moment and it is a arduous lesson for us.”
Stanway will little doubt study from her expertise in Belgium, and is an total reflection of the place England want to enhance as a complete. Once more, loads for the Lionesses to consider forward of the subsequent worldwide break.