England organizes in the group stage of the Nations League in Spain on Wednesday evening and quickly becomes one of the highly expected rivalries in international women’s football.
The two nations got to know each other in the last two big tournaments, first in the quarter -finals at Euro 2022, when England won 2-1 from a goal in extra time. Spain then demanded his revenge 12 months later and returned the lionesses 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney.
Both teams will hope to claim the euro trophy in Switzerland this summer, although they will not be the only ones who have their chances. However, the meeting on Wednesday evening in Wembley will be a strong indicator of where you are and who has the upper hand in this phase.
90 minutes Has broken down some of the most important battles who find out who goes away with the victory and takes control of the group of nations League …
The last time England opposed Spain, Mariona Caldentey fought with Lucy Bronze, but the Arsenal star played mainly on the right wing under Montse Tome. It remains to be seen whether the Spanish boss decides to change things upwards, but Caldentey will undoubtedly cause problems for the full -back against whom it appears.
If she actually starts right, it will probably be England’s Niamh Charles who is commissioned to keep her calm. The Chelsea defender missed the international camp before Christmas for an injury, but she is now in the fold and played the full 90 minutes against Portugal on Friday.
Sarina Wiegman could turn on things and start Jess Carter, but Charles will probably be England’s left -back at the euros and has to test against the top opposition as she regularly does for Chelsea in the WSL and Champions League.
Caldentey scored 11 goals for arsenal in all competitions, mainly with a more central role. The 28-year-old has the pace and strength of beating and deepening opponents, which means that the left-back of England could be nearby for a long night.
If England is supposed to make a number on Spain on Wednesday, it is important that you win the midfield. Visitors are a little weaker in this area of the field, with some remarkable absences, including Patri Guijarro, who fails with a thigh injury.
Nevertheless, England is without one of her own stars, Georgia Stanway, who will probably miss the euro this summer due to a knee injury. Both nations still focus in Keira Walsh and Aitana Bonmati, but Grace Clinton is probably commissioned with the two-time balloon d’Or winner.
The fluidity in formations and positions from game to game makes it difficult to predict who starts there, but if Clinton gets nod, this will undoubtedly be your biggest test so far. The star in Manchester United had a strong first half against Portugal, but was uncovered in the second half for the hosts’ equalizer.
Any loss of concentration against the midfield of Spain could prove to be expensive, especially because Bonmatí dominates the games that seemingly effortlessly dominate and dictates the pace. She can temporarily make her close control, and her game intelligence makes her a nightmare to mark them.
Tome often revolves around her central defenders, and Laia Codina was an unused replacement in the last victory over Belgium last week in the last victory against Belgium. It remains to be seen whether this decision was made with one eye in the game on Wednesday.
From the English perspective, a large part of her hope is on the shoulders Alessia Russo. The striker was on the player leaf in the draw against Portugal and will undoubtedly be determined to give a declaration against Spain.
Codina may be a solid choice to start in Wembley because she joins Russeo during training for the Arsenal week. The familiarity between the two players could lead to an interesting fight that could ultimately decide the game.
England has different target threats, including Lauren James von Chelsea, if she gets nod for a second game in a row. But it cannot be denied that Russo’s growing importance for the team and the fact that most of the lion’s hopes rest on their ability to put the ball into the back of the network.
Wiegman could contact Nikita Parris from the bank, who is in a fine goalkeeper for Brighton this season. However, the starting place is not up for debate and it will be Russo’s responsibility to ask questions from Spain’s interior defenders.