England made a winning start to Women’s EURO 2022 on Wednesday evening by beating Austria 1-0 at a sold-out Old Trafford.
Sarina Wiegman’s side will be very pleased to have started the tournament with a victory, and will be keen to reflect on their opening match before looking ahead.
Lionesses lead from example out of defence
England need not worry about their centre-back department for this summer’s Euros. Contributing to their clean sheet was an unexpected partnership of Millie Bright and Leah Williamson. The duo were crucial in England playing out from the back with both defenders composed in possession, especially when under pressure.
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Bright commanded the back four and was instrumental in keeping Austria out of the Lionesses' net. Her aerial presence saw Austria struggle from set pieces whilst her physical dominance made it tiresome for the visitors to get in behind the defensive line. She also read the game brilliantly, blocking every cross and shot that came her way.
England’s perfect press
England’s high press halted all Austrian attempts to play out from goal kicks with ease. Manuela Zinsberger would pin her centre-backs to each corner of the six-yard box, favouring the short ball over a long range effort.
One defender would be occupied by an England forward, as a midfielder pushed up from the opposite side to cover the other defender.
In the first half, Fran Kirby stuck to the holding Austrian midfielder, initiating the press on the first pass, and forcing an awkward long ball. It would often land at a forward racing back to reach it, making the England back line’s efforts become easy pickings.
Versatility out wide
Beth Mead, starting from the right wing, scored the only goal of the game for England, finding herself in space in Zinsberger’s box, but Wiegman’s bold tactics saw her swapped with left-forward Lauren Hemp quickly after the goal.
The move gave both wingers the opportunity to deliver in-swinging crosses for Ellen White, the Manchester City forward was not her usually potent self and failed to net.
A second-half change saw Mead replaced by Chloe Kelly, who, despite not scoring, looked almost as dangerous on the right flank, nearly netting past Zinsberger after a darting run.
These impressive performances will be encouraging for England bosses, who have a plethora of quality depth in attack.
Kiera Walsh and her unassuming yet integral role
Manchester City’s Kiera Walsh, despite playing on the red side of her home town, once again displayed why she is a regular starter in this current England set up.
Walsh was deployed as a lone pivot in what was a standard 4-3-3 formation, and her job of linking the midfield with the defence, whilst understated, was key to England’s freedom and fluidity in possession.
Walsh constantly made herself available to receive the ball to her feet, providing an outlet for the under pressure centre-backs or for the more attacking players lost for options. This helped the Lionesses maintain possession, resetting attacks resulting in long-term gain.
Although perhaps not the most glamorous or obvious star of this England team, without Walsh, the system falls apart and she will find herself at the heart of any summer success.
Lucy Bronze exposed
Austria’s first shot on target may have come, testament to England’s overall dominance, in the 78th minute, but space on the Lionesses’ right was easily given up throughout the night.
Lucy Bronze’s attacking intents helped create support upfield, but was not always balanced with recovery runs and tight marking.
A player of such statue is unlikely to be dropped, but with the new midfield setup which sees the more attacking Georgia Stanway less likely to cover the right side, Bronze’s performance far from her usual standard could have been more exposed against a stronger opponent.
