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The head coach of England, Sarina Wiegman, thinks that her team has “moved past” the disappointment of not qualifying for the Olympics.
On Friday and next Tuesday, the Lionesses will be playing against Austria and Italy, respectively, in two friendly matches instead of the Nations League semi-finals that they had originally hoped for.
In December, Team GB’s 6-0 victory over Scotland seemed to guarantee their position as the top team in Group A1. However, the Netherlands scored two goals in extra time against Belgium, surpassing England’s goal difference and ultimately ending Team GB’s chances of qualifying for the Paris 2024 tournament.
“According to Wiegman, this marks the beginning of our Euros journey. Despite the disappointment of not making it to the play-offs for Olympic qualification, we have moved forward. Next year, in Switzerland, our team will strive to defend our European title.”
The training camp for England is currently happening in Marbella.
The Football Association via Getty Images
We have the opportunity to test some strategies with two friendly games, which is beneficial for our team.
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“We have a close proximity to the Under-23 team, who are also training in Spain. This allows us to observe and interact with them, giving us insight into their current abilities and potential talents.”
“This marks a promising beginning as the Nations League, which serves as the qualifying round for the Euros, kicks off in April.”
Leah Williamson, who led the winning team in Euro 2022, was selected by coach Wiegman for the first time after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. However, the Arsenal defender had to pull out due to a hamstring injury on Sunday.
When questioned about whether or not club coaches had asked for a restriction on player playing time due to a competitive Women’s Super League title race and a series of notable injuries, Wiegman responded, “No, not on this occasion.”
We constantly keep in touch, exchange updates, and recognize the significance of the Women’s Super League, as well as the German and Spanish leagues for players such as Georgia Stanway and those currently playing in Spain.
The February training camp has been a source of enjoyment for England.
The Football Association through Getty Images.
Naturally, we prioritize the well-being of our players, but we also have many other objectives. While our goal is always to win, we also have the chance to experiment and manage playing time. Given our packed schedule, this is something we must keep in mind.
The problem of injuries is a broader concern that involves the strain on players. The topic of the calendar is frequently discussed and it’s crucial that we address it. Last week, I brought this issue to light and urged FIFA and UEFA to make adjustments.
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“We are striving to perform our job to the best of our abilities, utilizing the expertise of our team and staff. Our program is closely monitored to ensure the well-being of our players.”
In this setting, there is a possibility of getting hurt due to the physical nature of the sport. However, we strive to minimize the chances of injuries as much as we can.
Source: independent.co.uk
