Sarina Wiegman is determined to get the better of “friend” Emma Hayes in England and United States’ blockbuster clash at Wembley.
The Lionesses will go head-to-head with the USA in front of 85,000 at Wembley in a prestige friendly in what is former Chelsea boss Hayes’ first encounter against her birth country in charge of the Americans.
A healthy rivalry has developed between the two national sides over the last decade but Dutch boss Wiegman insists the two managers a great friend – but admitted that made her want to win even more.
“It’s a fact,” Wiegman said of her friendship with Hayes. “I think with friends, you really want to beat your friends. Even more, maybe, than [managers who are] not your friends.
“Under Emma, their style of play is a little more patient, but there’s so much pace in their game.”
Hayes led the USA to Olympic glory in the summer and Wiegman knows Saturday’s clash is a huge chance to test themselves against the world’s best.
“It’s really exciting — there are going to be 85,000 people,” she said. “We’re playing the Olympic [champions], No1 in the world, and Emma Hayes. We’re absolutely competing tomorrow, so I’m just really looking forward to that.”
Heading to LDN 🫡 pic.twitter.com/euHTybBDaE
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 28, 2024
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Bronze: ‘One of the biggest games to play in’
Defender Lucy Bronze echoed those sentiments, insisting the 2022 European champions are determined to show what they can do against the Olympic gold medallists.
“We’re really excited to play the US,” Bronze said. “As long as I have been an England player, it has been one of the biggest games to be in.
“It is a rivalry that has blossomed out of nowhere in the last decade. It’s such a competitive, high-level game.
“It is a good test, because the US have just won the Olympic gold medal. To win [that], you have to have the crazy mentality that I think sums up the US perfectly. We have to show what we can do against a top team like that.”
England team news
Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier will miss the clash after being diagnosed with concussion following her side’s WSL defeat to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has been drafted in as her replacement, but after an assessment at United, Le Tissier has returned to the Lionesses camp and could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
“The squad is good,” Wiegman explained. “Everyone is on the pitch. Maya is on the pitch. Non-contact today, but looking good.
“She’s not rushed back. After the game, she had a headache, so it’s all to the medical team.
“Then she went into the concussion protocol. She’s done really well. A neutral doctor will finalise that, so she can progress to [full] training sessions and then play.”
