Lionesses: Sarina Wiegman hints at changes to save England's Euros title defence | OneFootball

Lionesses are at risk of elimination from the 2025 Women’s Euros after defeat on matchday one

England Women's manager Sarina Wiegman has admitted she won't be afraid to switch things up in pursuit of a crucial three points against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.

England's lethargic performance against France has led to calls for changes ahead of their second group game and Wiegman says she won't be scared to adapt if her game plan isn't working.

"In our team, we have different types of players who play in the same position. So, if you want to change something, change your shape and style to impact the game, we can do that," Wiegman said.

Wiegman, who guided England to the Euros in 2022, went on to say that whilst she always knew a group containing France, the Netherlands and Wales would prove difficult for the Lionesses, focus was now solely on Wednesday's game after a disappointing start to their title defence.

"We knew this was going to be a hard group. What we are focusing on is our game plan and executing that, doing your task, and having conversations with players together, and talking together, and that is what we want to do in the game too.

"What we are occupied with is playing football, executing a task and sticking together, getting the right connections, working really hard, and doing everything to win the game."

If you want to change something, change your shape and style to impact the game, we can do that

Sarina Wiegman

Striker Alessia Russo, who saw an early goal ruled out for offside against France, reiterated Wiegman's focus, saying the leaders within England's dressing room had rallied the girls after a disheartening loss in Zurich on Saturday.

"Ultimately we were disappointed after that game, more so with ourselves. We came up against a great France team, but we know we can be better, and we have high standards as a team," Russo said.

"You have to adapt, and you learn a lot from these kinds of experiences. We've also got players like Lucy (Bronze), Alex (Greenwood) and people like that who have been to lots of major tournaments.

"We can lean on them in times as well."

Alessia Russo had a goal disallowed against France

Nick Potts/PA Wire

England desperately need their more experienced players to step up in the wake of a brittle display against France, their first group stage loss at a major tournament for 10 years.

The Netherlands, who started their tournament with a 6-0 win over Wales, will pose just as many problems as France did, and England will have to avoid a repeat of their performance last weekend if they're to stand any chance of staying in the competition they came to Switzerland to defend.