I know precisely how difficult it is to play against Alexandra Popp, but Germany’s leading scorer of the tournament is not the only problem England need to solve if they are to win Euro 2022. The key thing for them is to start the final well. That’s something Germany are very good at, which makes the first 20 or 30 minutes crucial. Germany will play with aggressive intensity right from kick-off, asking tough questions of England and not allowing them to settle.
It explains why Germany often score first-half goals. To match them, opposing teams must be at the races, with concentration levels at 100% and players constantly communicating properly, verbally and non-verbally, throughout.
The communication between England’s two defensive, or rather defensive-ish, central midfielders, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, will be super-important against a team who press so well and whose organisation out of possession makes them extremely dangerous in transition. England are strong in transition, too, and, with Germany playing a high line, Walsh’s through passes can enable the forwards to get behind the defence.
Germany were brave to play such a high line against a fast and dynamic France side in the semi-final and there were moments when they looked vulnerable. There wasn’t much wrong with the gameplan but the players couldn’t quite find the right final ball.
Just as Walsh is vital to England, so, too, is Germany’s midfield pivot, Lena Oberdorf, for her team. It’s hard to believe she’s only 20 because she is just so intelligent; she’s so good at slowing games down and controlling the tempo.
She’s also brilliant at breaking up play, recovers the ball very quickly and knows when to concede fouls. Up against Oberdorf, Fran Kirby must work hard to find the space she needs.
Popp will be on a mission to wound the Lionesses. The Wolfsburg forward is the focal point of a really aggressive front three who are experts at pressing and remain ever-dangerous out of possession. We’re all looking forward to seeing Popp’s much‑anticipated, no-quarter given duel with Millie Bright.
Whatever the tactics – and, like England, a Germany team unafraid to go direct can vary their style, playing in multiple ways – Popp remains relentless and relishes forcing opponents, goalkeepers particularly, into making mistakes. She’s extremely physical and uses her body well.
But despite Germany’s strength in depth, Austria had them on the ropes in the quarter-final, hitting the woodwork three times. Maybe England, blessed with better finishers and greater conviction, can employ similar tactics more effectively to disrupt this German machine.
The assuredness and stability of Mary Earps, Bright and Leah Williamson can snuff out Germany’s quick attacking transitions and create a platform for Beth Mead, Kirby and Alessia Russo to continue creating and scoring goals.
Popp’s work ethic on and off the ball is incredible and I know just how exhausted she leaves you – mentally as well as physically. When I played for Rosengård, Wolfsburg knocked us out of the Champions League thanks to two headed goals from … guess who? She’s a huge aerial threat and is extremely difficult to mark.
Equally clever at linking play, Popp loves dropping deep – sometimes very deep – into midfield and dragging people out of position and she often serves as a decoy, creating space for teammates to score. Remember how her lovely dummy in the quarter-final against Austria conjured Lina Magull’s goal?
Magull is so quick, creative and technically assured and, like Kirby, can change games. Ditto Klara Bühl who, providing she tests negative for Covid, will surely rejoin the attack. She is quick, dynamic and very good at setting traps for defenders.
England will believe she can trouble Germany’s defence, where Marina Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich are not the quickest centre-backs. While Hegering is strong in the air, she is much less comfortable with the ball on the ground and Ellen White’s clever hold-up play and ability to spin markers is capable of causing chaos in Germany’s penalty area.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Germany’s coach, knows Mead and Lauren Hemp can cause numerous problems on the wings but she will have analysed the Lionesses’ own weaknesses. They include the space Lucy Bronze leaves behind her when she attacks from right-back, something Sara Däbritz could exploit.
The technical ability of Däbritz and Magull has ensured Germany haven’t missed their injured midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán quite as much as initially feared. But despite the wealth of creative talent in both teams, it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if a set-piece proved decisive. Both sides can be susceptible to dead balls but it’s important to remember that, when the delivery is top quality and at top speed, set plays are very difficult to defend.
Everyone knows Popp’s superb in the air at corners but, as with France’s Wendie Renard, it still doesn’t always stop her scoring a lot of goals from them. That pair are so good and so strong they’re inevitably going to get a high percentage of first contacts on the ball.
Second-half substitutions could be as vital as set plays. The way Wiegman and Voss-Tecklenburg use benches packed with highly talented players of the calibre of Russo and Linda Dallmann may ultimately settle what should be a wonderful final.
