Sarina Wiegman Emphasises Winning Over Criticism Ahead Of England's Clash With Spain

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England's manager, Sarina Wiegman, emphasised that their focus is not on silencing critics as they prepare to face Spain in the Nations League at Wembley Stadium. Despite criticism following a 1-1 draw against Portugal, Wiegman stated, "We are not playing football to beat the critics. We are playing football to win games." England has won only two of their last six matches.

Alessia Russo, reflecting on England's past World Cup defeat to Spain, expressed a forward-looking attitude. She said, "I think for me revenge reflects on the past a little bit, we're a new team." Russo highlighted the team's fresh faces and qualities, indicating a desire to focus on future opportunities rather than dwelling on past losses.

Wiegman stressed the importance of consistency and team cohesion in their upcoming match. She noted that maintaining momentum throughout games is crucial for success. "What we want to do is get more consistency so we create momentum in the game and keep it longer," she explained. The team aims to build on recent experiences to improve performance.

Russo was substituted by Lauren James during the World Cup final against Spain but ended as one of England's top scorers alongside James and Lauren Hemp. Despite the painful loss, Russo is eager to seize new chances at Wembley with strong fan support. "We have got a new opportunity, we're back at Wembley," she remarked.

The Lionesses are determined to move forward positively despite recent challenges. Wiegman acknowledged that performances can vary but emphasised staying neutral and focused on current realities. "Sometimes things go really well, sometimes things don't go that well," she said. The team remains committed to improving and achieving better results.

The upcoming clash with Spain serves as a chance for England to demonstrate growth since their last encounter. With new talents in the squad and lessons learned from previous matches, they aim to showcase their progress at Wembley. The focus remains on teamwork and building momentum for future successes.