For all of the well-deserved reward England have obtained since Thursday's victory over Sweden, regarding their never-say-die perspective, spirited comeback and the gamechanging impression of their substitutes, it shouldn't be forgotten that the defending champions are fortunate nonetheless to be in Euro 2025.
The Lionesses have been considerably lucky that Sweden didn't convert two penalties to win the competition and England will know they should make notable enhancements if they're to progress previous Italy and attain a 3rd consecutive main match closing. Listed below are six areas wherein the gamers and Sarina Wiegman should do higher.
Be extra selective with lengthy balls
The England defenders Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood have performed extra passes into the ultimate third than every other gamers from the 16 groups who've contested this match, however fewer than half of Greenwood's 26 lengthy passes towards Sweden have been accomplished efficiently. Each gamers are often much more correct in relation to go completion, as two of the perfect ball-playing centre-backs round.
Towards Sweden, although, England didn't appear to be choosing the right moments to go lengthy. There's clearly a case for some direct balls, exemplified by the right execution of Hannah Hampton's defence-splitting go towards the Netherlands, however on Thursday England appeared too eager to go lengthy extra usually than typical, and solely one in every of Lucy Bronze's seven lengthy passes discovered its goal.
Italy rank joint-Eleventh for common possession at this match, whereas England's 58% share places them second solely to Spain, so on Tuesday viewers can anticipate England to regulate many of the play. However they have to decide and select their moments to play the ball excessive. If Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone can management the midfield, England can thrive.
Make substitutions earlier
Wiegman didn't make a change till the seventieth minute within the quarter-final, regardless of England trailing 2-0, and though her triple change labored like a allure and all six of England's eventual substitutes performed necessary roles, there's a sturdy case to be made that the alterations got here too late. Given the marked enhancements England made after altering their tactical form, may Wiegman have rolled the cube somewhat earlier and even perhaps received the tie in regular time?
Wiegman has tended to not make modifications earlier than the hour however with the tight turnaround between fixtures on this comparatively brief match, gamers can be tiring and introducing brisker legs earlier within the second half may very well be important for England, significantly in mild of their power in depth.
Utilise the area being discovered by Bronze
Bronze was pushing up excessive from right-back towards Sweden and was usually asking for the ball in acres of area, unmarked, however the Lionesses have been usually both too sluggish to identify her run or unable to change the ball with the diagonal go required. Towards Wales, England discovered success down the correct repeatedly, both with Bronze linking with the winger Lauren James or with these gamers combining with the runs of Toone, and that trio might want to mix extra successfully once more to get in behind Italy's defence.
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Lower out sloppy errors
There have been lapses in England's passing out from the again towards Sweden and so they have been punished by Kosovare Asllani's early purpose. They'll unwell afford a repeat. The Lionesses made three errors that led on to photographs on purpose and that can be three too many if repeated towards a group with a medical striker corresponding to Cristiana Girelli, who has scored 61 senior worldwide targets.
Loads of the post-match consideration targeted on Jess Carter's efficiency however she was not the one participant to misplace just a few easy-looking balls; Williamson's completion fee for her brief passes dropped to 79%, having been 100% towards the Netherlands. Carter accomplished all 10 of her brief passes towards the Netherlands, in a recreation when England's backline have been in nice type with their distribution. Bronze's completion fee for brief passes dropped to 61% from 33 makes an attempt towards Sweden, demonstrating how sloppy the Lionesses have been in possession.
Make extra of set items
England are but to look threatening from attacking set items. That may very well be partly right down to the standard of the deliveries however can even be associated to the absence of among the taller and aerially sturdy gamers who have been on the final World Cup and Euros, corresponding to Millie Shiny or Rachel Daly. The centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy, arguably the strongest attacking weapon at corners in England's squad, is unlikely to function towards Italy, however Wiegman and her employees will certainly have been engaged on set items over the weekend.
Shoot extra ceaselessly
The Lionesses additionally have to shoot extra usually. Towards Sweden they recorded solely 4 photographs heading in the right direction and the determine was two towards France of their opening fixture. Stanway, one in every of England's strongest ball-strikers, who scored an excellent purpose with a first-time effort towards the Netherlands, had one shot on Thursday and England will need to create extra in-play conditions the place they'll tee up the Bayern Munich midfielder to shoot from the sting of the field.
