England hosted Spain in the group stage of the League of Nations on Wednesday evening, and is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated rivalries of women’s international football.
The two nations gathered in the last two tournaments, first in the quarterfinals Euro 2022When England came out of a goal to win 2-1 in an additional time. Spain then demanded its revenge 12 months later, passing ahead of the lions 1-0 in the World Cup End to Sydney.
Both teams will wait to claim the Euro Trophy in Switzerland this summer, although they will not be the only ones who want to favor their possibilities. That said, the Wednesday night meeting in Wembley will be a strong indicator where they are and who has the upper hand at this stage.
90 minutes He has broken down some of the key battles that will determine who moves away with victory and takes control of the group of the League of Nations …
The last time England He faced Spain, saw Mariona Caldentey fight -with Lucy Bronze, but Arsenal’s star has played predominantly on the right wing under Montse Tome. It is still to be seen if the head of Spain decides to change things, but Caldentey will definitely cause problems for anyone who is achieved.
If you really start to the right, it will probably be Niamh Charles of England, who is commissioned to keep it in silence. It Chelsea The defender lost the international fields before Christmas due to injury, but now returns to the fold and played the full 90 minutes against Portugal on Friday.
Sarina Wiegman could change things and start Jess Carter, but Charles will probably be the left of England to euros and will have to try against the highest opposition, as he regularly does for Chelsea in the Wsl and Champions league.
Caldentey has scored 11 goals per Arsenal In all competitions, especially while playing a more central role. The 28 -year -old man has the rhythm and strength to defeat and defend the opponents, which means that the left side of England could be for a long night.
If England makes a number in Spain on Wednesday, it is crucial to win the battle of the midfield. The visitors are slightly weaker in this area of ​​the pitch, with some notable absent, including Patri Guijarro, which is on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
That said, England is also without one of its own stars, Georgia Stanway, which is likely to lose euros this summer due to a knee injury. The two nations still have focal points in Keira Walsh and Aitana Bonmati, but it will probably be Grace Clinton in charge of combining twice or winner Ballon.
The fluency in the formations and the games of play by game makes it difficult to predict who will begin where, but if Clinton is given the gesture, this will undoubtedly be his greatest test. It Manchester United Star had a first half against Portugal, but was exposed for the Igualada of the hosts in the second half.
Any lapse in concentration against the midfield of Spain could be expensive, especially since Bonmatà dominates the games apparently easily and dictates the pace. Its close control can do it resistant to the press sometimes, and its play intelligence turns it into a nightmare to score.
Tome often turns her collaborations at the center and Laia Codina was an unused substitute for Gasp victory over Belgium last week. It remains to see if this decision was made with a Wednesday eye.
From the perspective of England, much of his hope rests on the shoulders of Alessia Russo. The striker was on the drawing sheet of the draw against Portugal and, without a doubt, will be determined to testify against Spain.
Codina can be a solid option to start Wembley, as it is presented against Russo in training for Arsenal Week in the week. The familiarity between the two players could make an interesting battle, which could decide the game.
England has other target threats, including Lauren James de Chelsea, winking for a second consecutive game. But Russo does not refuse the team and the fact that most of the hope of the lions are based on their ability to put the ball on the back of the net.
Wiegman could resort to Nikita Parris from the bench, which is in the form of a goal for Brighton this season. However, the starting place is not in debate and it will be Russo’s responsibility to ask questions about the pairing of the center of Spain.
