Germany defeat showed England what they need to do better says Wiegman | OneFootball

England head coach Sarina Wiegman said that her side’s 4-3 international friendly defeat to Germany highlighted the areas where the team need to improve before UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

The Lionesses kicked-off their preparations for next summer’s tournament with a crazy game against Germany at Wembley last night. The visitors raced into a 3-0 lead inside half an hour before England netted two quick-fire goals through Georgia Stanway. Sara Däbritz’s second half penalty made it 4-2 before Lucy Bronze netted a late consolation for the Lionesses.

When speaking in the post-match press conference, England head coach Wiegman said that the result was disappointing and that her side know exactly what they have to improve ahead of the EUROs

“I didn’t want that result and I wanted us to do a couple of things better of course,” Wiegman said. “The players feel the same too.

“It was disappointing but it was a very high-level game where there were so many challenges for us but also for them. That’s what we want at this stage.

“It gave us so much information, showed us exactly what we’ve got to do better and showed the challenges tactically. We had those challenges today but so did they.”

Reflecting on her side’s sloppy start, Wiegman highlighted issues after losing possession and with England’s press.

She said “It started in moments where we were losing the ball where we don’t want to lose it. We wanted to press high but at moments, we didn’t get the press right. They are powerful, good in the counter-attack and exploited us. That’s what we need to improve.

“In the second half, of course, they exploited us but I thought that we did a little better, it was just the trigger moments; first, being compact, when to jump, when to stay and they had many players high. Those are the things that we will talk about tomorrow.”

A controversial penalty eventually separated the two sides when Alessia Russo was harshly adjudged to have fouled Pia-Sophie Wolter. Wiegman admitted that she was surprised to see the referee point to the penalty spot.

She said “I haven’t seen it back and I obviously can’t change the decision but I was really surprised that it was a penalty. I thought it was good defending. I haven’t seen it back but at the end of the day, I’m not the referee, they decided it was a penalty.”

England are next in action on Tuesday evening when they face South Africa in an international friendly at The Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry.