The English women’s national team, led by manager Sarina Wiegman, is set to face off against Germany in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium. This game will be an important test for the Lionesses, as they begin their preparations for Euro 2025, which is just over eight months away.
The two teams last faced each other in the 2022 European Championship final, with Germany emerging as champions. Since then, a lot has changed for both teams. Germany have a new manager, Christian Wuck, who will take charge of his first game on Friday, while England have had a mixed bag of performances, struggling earlier in the year but turning things around to qualify for the Euros next year.
The Lionesses will be without Lauren James, who has withdrawn from the squad due to a calf injury. James was initially included in the squad, but she missed Chelsea’s latest Women’s Super League game against Tottenham, and Wiegman has confirmed that she will remain with her club to continue her recovery. While James’ absence is a blow, Wiegman has also confirmed that Fran Kirby and Lotte Wubben-Moy will not be available for selection.
Meanwhile, Germany have made some changes to their squad as well. Giovanna Hoffmann, a 25-year-old forward, and Lisanne Grawe, a 21-year-old midfielder, are in the team for the first time, while Sara Dabritz returns after a spell out with an ankle injury.
The game promises to be a closely contested one, with both teams giving it their all. With the Lionesses on home soil, Wiegman will be expecting a strong performance, but Germany’s experienced squad will not be easily beaten. As such, a draw seems to be the most likely outcome, with a score of 2-2 being tipped by many. It’s an intriguing matchup that will give us a glimpse into the state of both teams as they prepare for the European Championship.
