HERE WIEGO!
Lionesses roll over Swiss but boss Sarina demands more for Euros
SARINA WIEGMAN says her England side really “click” but urged them to show what they can do when they kick off their Euros campaign against Austria next Wednesday.
Even without record goalscorer Ellen White, the Lionesses still thrashed Switzerland in Zurich last night, in what was their final warm-up match before the Euros start next week.
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 – a very warm welcome. 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 keys to victory, but it was Alessia Russo, starting up top, who handed her side the lead.
After having good efforts stopped in the first half, the Manchester United striker got her head to an inch-perfect Rachel Daly cross to nod 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 stepped up to do what was needed from the penalty spot, rifling it low and hard to the keeper’s right (below) 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 the Lionesses , 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 and some elements of the performance left much to be desired. But Wiegman (left) still believes her side are on the right road.
She added: “We always have things to improve. 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.”
SWITZERLAND: Friedli 7, Maritz 6, Calligaris 5, Buhler 5, Aigbogun 5 (Rinast 79), Walti 5 (Marti 45, 4), Maendly (Xhemaili 79), Sow, Crnogorcevic 7 (Mauron 45, 5), Bachmann 6 (Humm 65, 6), Reuteler 6 (Terchoun 87) ENGLAND: Earps 6, Daly 6, Bright 6, Williamson 7, Greenwood 6 (Carter 62, 6), Walsh 7, Stanway 8 (Scott 79), Hemp 8 (Parris 75, 7), Kirby (Toone 61), Mead 8 (Kelly 62, 7), Russo 8 (England 61, 7)