‘We have to move forward’ – England want to stay at the top says Wiegman

England head coach Sarina Wiegman expresses her team’s focus on the future after their triumph in UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 this summer.

The Lionesses are set to resume play with an international friendly against Brazil at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday evening.

Following a time of celebration, it’s now back to business for England. Head coach Wiegman emphasizes the importance of looking ahead and maintaining their status at the peak.

“I think everyone handles it differently,” Wiegman mentioned during the pre-match press conference about transitioning from celebration. “What we typically do is celebrate and then reflect; analyzing what went well, what needs improvement, the trends, and our plans moving forward because time is of the essence. That’s our approach with the players. Naturally, each player will adapt in their own way, and we aim to support them.

“We will never dismiss what we have accomplished, as it’s incredibly special and we will always treasure that, but we also need to progress. We are already looking ahead with a game tomorrow, and we intend to remain at the top.”

Discussing the challenge posed by Brazil, Wiegman anticipates a tough match against a physically demanding opponent.

She stated, “They are very physical and athletic, with considerable speed upfront. They can play well but also prefer to advance quickly and create advantageous situations, which will test us.

“With the South American mentality, there will be a lot of creativity. We’ll strive to avoid getting involved in physical confrontations and focus on playing our game. They’ll aim for one-on-one matchups, looking to engage in duels, but we will attempt to sidestep those.”

Wiegman mentioned that four players have withdrawn from the England squad due to illness or injury, viewing this as a chance to explore new partnerships and lineups.

She remarked, “Certainly, it’s always a challenge. I believe having four friendly matches over the next few months is beneficial. We also want to experiment, observe players, and test different combinations.

“This is a significant opportunity, especially since we have some injuries and a player who has retired.”

The friendly match between England and Brazil is scheduled to kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday evening. Tickets are still available for purchase by clicking here.

About The Author

Daniel Pentland

I am the owner and editor of the WSL Full-Time brand, which I launched in 2018.

I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA, and AIPS. Since 2016, I have reported on various levels of men’s and women’s elite football.