How England should line up for Euro 2025 semi-final vs Italy: Sarina Wiegman must change shape to help defence - and give Lauren James some rest

Yahoo

3 days ago

There was so much to take away from England's penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals of the 2025 European Championship. Some of it was good, be it the impact of the substitutes or the resilience from the whole team. Some of it, though, was bad, particularly in defence, where the Lionesses were torn apart despite their remarkable second-half comeback.
It's a performance that should serve as a wake-up call for Sarina Wiegman, who needs to address the issues in the backline if England are to retain their European title. That starts on Tuesday, when her side come up against an Italy team that is in its first major tournament semi-final this century.
The Lionesses will be the favourites, given their status as holders and the greater experience in their squad when it comes to these big moments. But that does not mean Wiegman should rest on her laurels when it comes to team selection, as GOAL takes a look at how England should line-up in Geneva...
GK: Hannah Hampton
Whatever changes Wiegman makes, there will not be one in between the sticks. Hannah Hampton remains England's only capped goalkeeper and she comes into this semi-final off the back of an incredible high, having made two huge saves in the penalty shootout win over Sweden.
She's not been perfect this tournament, with her struggling to come out and collect crosses in particular on Thursday. Still, she deservedly remains England's undisputed No.1.
CB: Esme Morgan
England have to change shape in order to address the issues they have in defence right now, and there is no better opportunity to do so than on Tuesday, against Italy. Having used the system to remarkable success at the 2023 Women's World Cup, Wiegman last deployed her team in a 3-5-2 from the start in a friendly against Switzerland in December of last year. Asked why, she cited the desire "to be adaptable to what we have in front of us", as that was the shape the Swiss lined up in. Italy prefer the same formation.
Despite her difficult day out against Sweden, there is an argument to keep Jess Carter in the team in that system, as she is at her very best in a back three. However, that game will have certainly knocked her confidence and there's no doubt Italy would target her again, so it makes sense to bring in Esme Morgan, replicating the in-game change Wiegman made in the win over Sweden.
CB: Leah Williamson
This selection depends on the fitness of Leah Williamson, who limped off in extra-time against Sweden with an ankle injury. If she is okay to start, then the England captain must, with her leadership and quality vital, even if some of her performances this tournament have been a little shaky.
If she cannot play, the Lionesses would be in a bit of a pickle. Carter would make sense to take this spot then, unless Wiegman wants to take her out of the firing line. Then, she'd be turning to Maya Le Tissier or Lotte Wubben-Moy, neither of whom have played any minutes since the 2024-25 club season concluded.
CB: Alex Greenwood
The biggest reason why a formation change is necessary is because England are being too easily exposed at left-back. Against France, Carter played there and was torn apart by Delphine Cascarino. Against Sweden, Alex Greenwood failed to cover the position well enough, which allowed the opposition to get at left centre-back Carter regularly. There's no natural option for the orthodox left-back role in the Lionesses' squad - so why set-up in a shape that needs it filling?
Instead, Wiegman can change to a 3-5-2 and put Greenwood back into a back three that she thrived in at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
RWB: Lucy Bronze
Also capable of playing in the back three if desired, Lucy Bronze fits the wing-back role nicely with her excellent work rate and ability to be effective in attack. She's played there this season with Chelsea and she's also thrived in the position with England in the past.
CM: Keira Walsh
One of the arguments against the 3-5-2 shape is that when England played in it at the 2023 World Cup, it didn't seem to bring the best out of Keira Walsh. However, we're talking about a world-class player, someone who you would certainly back to adapt and thrive in whatever system she's in.
It might actually help with one of the problems England had against Sweden, too, when Walsh was marked out of the game. This shape would give the Lionesses some different looks when playing out from the back and allow the right and left centre-backs to drive forward with the ball with less risk, thus opening up new angles.
CM: Georgia Stanway
There's a case to be made for rotation in this position, as Georgia Stanway has started all of England's games at this tournament despite only returning from four months out with a knee injury at the end of May. It would also help freshen up an area of the park that failed to impact the game much against Sweden.
However, Stanway excelled in the 3-5-2 shape at the last World Cup and she was one of the first players subbed off in the quarter-finals, so she should have plenty in the tank.
CM: Grace Clinton
Neither Ella Toone nor Lauren James were worryingly poor in England's quarter-final win, but neither impacted the game quite as they'd have liked. Whether that is because they've both played a lot of football at this tournament, it's unclear, but it wouldn't hurt to freshen up the midfield and this position feels like the best one to change up, so not to break up the understanding at the base between Walsh and Stanway.
Grace Clinton has showed a lot of good things in an England shirt this year, deputising for Stanway during her injury, but has seen opportunities dry up in recent weeks. She'll be chomping at the bit to get her chance and can be dangerous in this system, with her creativity, tenacious battling and eye for goal.
Toone and James will be there are worthwhile impact subs if it doesn't work out, too.
LWB: Niamh Charles
Niamh Charles has struggled for form this past year. She's not a natural left-back, which is part of the reason for that, and Sandy Baltimore, her Chelsea team-mate, thrived in that role during her first season at the club, leaving Charles on the bench for spells. However, when the Blues changed to a back three towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign, the England international was deployed as a wing-back and it proved to be a role that suited her strengths much more.
Naturally a winger or a No.10, it allowed Charles to be an asset in the final third while not being exposed defensively. She was able to showcase her excellent crossing ability, great athleticism and good decision-making in crucial areas - qualities she could express with the knowledge that there was ample protection behind her if the opponent regained possession and countered.
Given the issues that continue to come from that orthodox left-back position, it would make total sense for Wiegman to change shape to mask this huge issue, and Charles is the best option for the wing-back role.
ST: Alessia Russo
Alessia Russo has taken big steps forward as a No.9 in recent years, with this past season in particular a real highlight. However, she can still be isolated in that position at times, with her lack of service against Sweden evidence of that.
When she plays in a front two, that's not as much of an issue. It is no coincidence that England continue to look much more threatening when Wiegman plays Michelle Agyemang alongside her, as she did in the latter stages against France and Sweden.
ST: Lauren Hemp
Despite the mark Agyemang continues to make alongside Russo, it would be something of a surprise if Wiegman handed the teenager her first senior England start in a major tournament semi-final. There is use in having her come on as a substitute to make an impact, too, something made easier if the Lionesses are already in a 3-5-2 shape.
Moreover, Hemp has shown regularly in the past that she can be effective as a striker for England, both as a lone No.9 and as part of a front two. The Manchester City star partnered Russo effectively at the World Cup and she can use her pace and directness to trouble the Italy defence, which can lack speed.