By Joe Rosedon (6/4/24)
Photo via Lionesses
England’s first meeting against Sweden since a 4-0 victory in the European Championship semi-finals of 2022 saw both teams targeting opposite wide areas with suffocating pressing to win the ball back high up the pitch.
Sarina Wiegman selected Alessia Russo flanked by Lauren James and Lauren Hemp for the front three. Lotte Wubben-Moy was selected as a potential counter to fellow Arsenal teammate Stina Blackstenius in the starting line-up while also offering potential longer-range passing to counter any Swedish pressing. Grace Clinton started in attacking midfield position.
Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson was able to welcome back key players Fridolina Rolfö and Magdalena Eriksson to the startling line-up after injuries.
The opening movements saw the previously mentioned high press from the Swedish forward line, clogging up the centre of the pitch and forcing Mary Earps to make riskier passes to Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles in the wide areas of the pitch to avert the pressure.
In particular, the Swedes targeted England’s left-hand side, Backstenius drifting into the left-hand channels, backing into Greenwood rather than Wubben Moy. Interestingly England focused on attacks from the right side in response. The Lionesses’ counter to the press was Greenwood passing finding Grace Clinton and breaking through the pressing forward line.
The press was effective from Sweden in the first half, impacting England’s attacking fluency and nullifying Hemp and James for the opening twenty minutes, with England’s midfielders unable to get them the ball. When Sweden won the ball back, they attempted to hit England with fast transitions and targeting the space created.
Sweden also focused on stopping the ball from getting to Kiera Walsh which consequently allowed for space for Clinton and Georgia Stanway to operate.
Yet, Hemp and James swapping wings was paramount to England’s opening goal. James was then able to isolate left-back Joanna Anderson, and this proved effective, finding Russo for the opening goal. James also drifted into more central positions to try to influence the game towards the end of the first half, with Russo filling the gap left by her teammate.
The beginning of the second half saw Sweden continuing to persist with their left-sided attacking focus. Their persistence paid off as it led to the equalizer. In a similar fashion to the England goal, a cross from the right from prospect Rosa Kafaji found Rolfö on the left-hand side of the pitch. Sweden were able to exploit the space left by Bronze on that occasion. Sweden targeted space left by Bronze again soon after. This time, Backstenius was unable to convert from a one-on-one position.
In response to the equaliser., England adopted a more fluid front line, with Russo being replaced by Man City forward Chole Kelly. Hemp was now the closest player on the pitch to a traditional centre forward, offering pace in behind instead of Russo’s hold-up play but was ineffective in finding a winning goal for the Lionesses.
In the end, a draw seemed a fair result based on the balance of play. The game proved how critical both Rolfö and captain Eriksson are for Sweden but will rue the missed chance by Backstenius. For England, a point against a strong Sweden side is not a catastrophic result but a lethargic second-half performance will be a cause for concern.
Teams: ENGLAND (4-3-3): Earps, Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Greenwood, Charles, Stanway, Walsh, Clinton, Hemp, Russo, James. Substitutes used: Toone, Mead, Kelly, Carter.
Scorer: Russo 24’.
SWEDEN (4-3-3): Falk, Lundkvist, Sembrant, Eriksson, Andersson, Angeldahl, Assllani, Olme, Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfö. Substitutes used: Nildén, Kafaji, Rubensson, Janogy, Anvegård.
Scorer: Rolfo 64’.
Referee: Ivana Projkovska.
Attendance: 63,428.
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