"We don't want to be looking back" says Wiegman
England prepare to face World Champions Spain at Wembley Stadium
“We don’t want to be looking back.” England manager Sarina Wiegman suggests the Lionesses are looking for victory not revenge at Wembley against Spain.
Wednesday night under the Wembley lights is set to be an exciting fixture as European Champions, England, will take on the World Champions and Nations League Winners, Spain, for the first time since their World Cup final in Australia. It’ll be both sides' second fixture in this year’s Nations League.
In this international break, the Lionesses have already faced Portugal where they were held to a 1-1 draw. Spain currently top the group after their last minute winner against Belgium already this window, taking a full three points in a 3-2 victory.
Sarina Wiegman and Alessia Russo discussed what to expect from Spain in the tough upcoming fixture and noted how both sides have changed since the final back in 2023. “I think we have evolved. You can’t relate to the World Cup or the Euros as much any more”, Wiegman noted. The influx of young talent and retirements in the England squad makes it hard to compare the squads.
They also reflected on the recent events with the Rubiales case in relation to when the ex-Spanish Federation leader kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the podium after their World Cup victory. Russo noted how she has been even closer to the court case because of playing with Spanish players Laia Codina and Mariona Caldentey at Arsenal. “I’ve got teammates that have been through it and they have acted with so much class through it all.”
“We have to keep telling the world that we stand in solidarity and it will hopefully make change”, was Wiegman’s message to the Spanish team ahead of the night at Wembley.
Wiegman agreed that a “special relationship away from football” had been built between the two sides after the events of the World Cup final. “In the women’s game, that community, that’s kind of special.”
“I think overall women’s football players are supporting female football players and women in society.”
Russo agreed with Wiegman’s statement, “the community that women’s football has is very special and it’s quite unique about the game. Whether it be good or bad we help and we come together as one.”
“We’ve got a new opportunity, we’re back at Wembley, with all of our fans there” Russo concluded, with high hopes that England will perform under the Wembley lights.