ALIVE ’N CLICKING
Sarina stars sparkle ahead of opener
SARINA WIEGMAN says her England side really click but urged them to show what they can do when their Euro campaign kicks off against Austria next Wednesday.
Even without record goalscorer Ellen White, England still thrashed Switzerland last night in what was their final warm-up match before the Euros.
And it meant Wiegman’s side made it 14 games unbeaten since the new boss took the reins.
She said: “Being manager has been really, really nice and very interesting.
“There’s a big click. We work really well with the staff, with the players and we have been growing a lot.
“But now the tournament starts and we have to show it.”
The second-half substitutes made a world of difference and handed the Lionesses the victory, but it was Alessia Russo, leading the line from the off, who handed her side the lead.
After having good efforts stopped in the first half, the Manchester United forward got her head to an inch-perfect Rachel Daly cross and nodded home.
Lauren Hemp had a spectacular volley stopped by the Swiss keeper not long after that, but the ball was spilled back into the box and hit the hand of one of her own defenders. Georgia Stanway then stepped up to do what was needed from the penalty spot, rifling it low and hard to the keeper’s right to double her side’s advantage.
Soon after, Stanway turned provider and her cross was headed home by substitute Bethany England. There was still more to come from this Lionesses side, though, and veteran midfielder Jill Scott added the game’s fourth in injury time with yet another headed goal. But it was not all plain sailing for Wiegman and some elements of the performance left much to be desired.
The England chief, though, still believes her side are heading in the right direction.
She said: “We always have things to improve but we are in a very good place. These are all friendlies and it’s very nice to play and to learn from it.
“But it really starts next Wednesday.”
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Earps 6; Daly 6, Bright 6, Williamson 7, Greenwood 6 (Carter 62, 6); Walsh 7, Stanway 8 (Scott 79, 6); Hemp 8 (Parris 75, 7), Kirby (Toone, 61), Mead 8 (Kelly 62, 7); RUSSO 8 (England 61, 7)