Ian Wright makes complaint despite England Lionesses beating Italy to reach Euro 2025 final

WATCH NOW: Sarina Wiegman press conference after England beat Italy to reach Euro 2025 final

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 23/07/2025

- 12:03

The former Three Lions striker has opened up on Sarina Wiegman's team

Ian Wright has admitted to concerns over Sarina Wiegman's tactical set-up, despite England Lionesses beating Italy 2-1 on Tuesday night to make the final of Euro 2025.

The defending champions looked as though they would crash out of the tournament when Barbara Bonansea put Italy ahead in the 33rd minute.


With just seconds of normal time remaining, however, Michelle Agyemang struck to force extra-time.

England then proceeded to secure victory in the 119th minute, with Chloe Kelly scoring after initially missing a penalty.

Ian Wright England Italy

ITV/PA

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Ian Wright has admitted to concerns over Sarina Wiegman's tactical set-up, despite England Lionesses beating Italy 2-1 on Tuesday night to make the final of Euro 2025

Wiegman's team are now just 90 minutes away from winning the European Championships for the second time in succession.

Wright, however, has expressed concerns over her tactical set-up - insisting the Dutchwoman and her side aren't convincing with their 'Plan A' or 'Plan B'

Speaking on ITV, the former Arsenal and England striker said: "I’m not really sure about Plan A or Plan B.

"Germany [potential finalists] are very physical, very direct, which won’t suit us. Spain [also potential finalists] play a much more technical game and keep the ball, that might suit us a little bit more.

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England Sarina WiegmanPA |

England boss Sarina Wiegman wants her team to start matches better despite their win over Italy

"We take too long to start games. I don’t know what it is but we take too long to get into our stride so we need to get into that."

England haven't been at their brilliant, swashbuckling best so far this summer.

Before the dramatic win over Italy they needed penalties to overcome Sweden, having fallen 2-0 down in the first half.

And Wright believes England must start matches better, insisting they'll be punished in the final if they're unable to start on the front foot.

READ MORE: England players rub salt into Italy's wounds with cheeky antics after dramatic Euro 2025 win

"We need to start games better than we’re starting games. 2-0 down in the game against Sweden," he stated.

"We play tournament football. You never go into a game with England and feel really comfortable.

"For some reason, we make it very difficult and then we drag ourselves through because we’ve got such determination. We’ve got such character.

"You can’t continue to rely on that. At some stage that luck is going to run out and we’re going to need to find a way to start games better, and get a foothold in the game."

Meanwhile, Wiegman admitted after the win over Italy that her side struggled in nthe first half.

She did, however, lavish praise on substitutes Agyemang and Kelly for helping to turn the contest around.

"Coming behind against Italy, you know you have a problem and we had some serious challenges in the game," she admitted.

"First-half we did not play well, not enough energy in the game.

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Chloe Kelly

PA

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Chloe Kelly scored the winner as England beat Italy to make the Euro 2025 final

"Second-half we were better, but in the final third they made a lot of blocks, won a lot of duels were very aggressive.

"We always have the opportunity to bring fresh players in who bring a lot of quality. We ended with lots of players up front because it was wall, we had to make a hole in the wall."