Catherine MacKenzie

Wiegman MD-1 Press Conference: “We are not playing football to beat the critics” Above: Sarina Wiegman and Alessia Russo speak to media at Wembley Stadium Image: Catherine MacKenzie for Impetus Twenty-four hours away from facing World Champions Spain, Sarina Wiegman and Alessia…

My report from yesterday's #Lionesses presser 👇

impetusfootball.org/2025/02/26/w...

I am not saying it is all roses and butterflies for England, but it is irresponsible for the dominant critical narrative to have no context.

There are areas to improve, absolutely. But there is also a lot of context behind current England performances.

The Lionesses in 2024: Nowhere near as bad as the critics would make you believe by Catherine Mackenzie (1/1/25) Above: The Lionesses come together to celebrate. Photo: Lionesses. It was a mixed year for the Lionesses. A common complaint has been that they struggle to create ch…

I'm also sharing this again because the narrative that the #Lionesses had a poor 2024 is reductive and ignores the competitive nature of European women's football:

impetusfootball.org/2025/01/01/t...

Here's an alternative bunch of stats to counter the cherry-picked assertion that the #Lionesses have only won 2 of their last 6 games:

- only 2 losses in their last 10 games, which included France x2, Germany, the USA

- unbeaten in 4, since October last year

#ENGSPA #UWNL

I shouted out loud 😂

Amazing for this team, they really deserve something positive.

Still expecting the Netherlands to win but I am BUZZING for Scotland!

#SCONED #ScotlandWNT

England v Spain: Women's World Cup finalists meet at Wembley in Women's Nations League Two of Europe's heavyweights go head-to-head at Wembley on Wednesday in a repeat of the Women's World Cup final as England host world champions Spain.

England v Spain. The World Cup finalists meet again.

Big preview piece on their journeys since then, their growing familiar rivalry, facing pressure & expectation and whether they are ready for Euro 2025.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

Are Germany Second Half FC?

A goal for Norway made in Manchester, as Bizet sets up Terland.

Both were on the bench until 73 mins in. The goal was scored a mere 4 minutes later.

Terland scoring for Norway! Things we love to see 😍 #MUFC

Competition 2: what is Arjan telling Sarina?

Competition 1: what is Mary talking about here? #Lionesses

Daily Women's Football: Beyond the Pitch Episode 113: What do the Nations League results tell us about the growth of the game? Daily Women's Football · Episode

Today @catmackenzie048.bsky.social discusses the Nations League MD1 results and what they show about the growth of women's football throughout Europe.

She also considers whether as fans we are too obsessed with the idea of young players being game changing.

open.spotify.com/episode/52Gy...

I'm going to miss Andries 😂

#OranjeLeeuwinnen

Rejuvenated Oranje draw with Germany The Netherlands had a mixed 2024. Key injuries to players like Vivianne Miedema, Jill Roord and Danielle van de Donk meant that head coach A

My latest for @footiefusion.bsky.social

"If the midweek fixtures pan out as they should, it is possible that the battle for top spot in the group will come down to the reverse of this fixture, when the Netherlands visit Germany in May."

footiefusion01.wixsite.com/my-site/post...

I do feel like that first half showed progress - now we just have to figure out how to adapt more quickly to opponents changes in shape.

Which has to come from the players on the pitch.

It was a poor second half, there is no denying that.

Maybe I'm just too much of an optimist, but I can't help but feel happy that there is progress generally.

Germany - attack good, defending poor

USA - attack blunt, defending good

Portugal - mostly solid, needed to be more clinical first half

Anyone else still recovering from last night? 😂

Rewatching that second half, as sloppy as we were, Portugal got away with a lot!

The #UWNL results today are quite interesting. No massive scorelines, 3 draws and the rest winning by 1 goal.

We talk a lot about development in the women's game - you only have to look at tonight to see it.

Also, people saying we need a new manager:

You do realise Sarina won the last 2 Euros, right?

She makes mistakes like every manager does, but there is no easy game anymore. You cannot expect us to win 10-0.

Today's second half was poor. But I want us to peak in July, not February.

#Lionesses

...but Portugal woke up, no game is totally one sided.

A draw is not the end of the world. Netherlands - Germany drawing, Spain struggled for long periods against Belgium. In other words:

Ok do we need crisis aversion talks?

England have a lot of positives to take from tonight. The first half was good, our attack looked solid (if needing to be more clinical).

I think Walsh missed having Georgia next to her - that is going to take time to work out.

Sloppy second half...

Ok, this counts for first half only 😂

Also, should have had a pen for that foul on Clinton.

Best they've played in a while imo. A bit sloppy in possession here and there but generally I think it's been a good game.

A few sloppy passes aside, best England have played in a while?

Let's not pretend Portugal are a roll over. Our last game against them was a draw and they haven't lost a game in ages.

Russo 🔥

#UWNL #PORENG #LIONESSES

Captain Miedema, things we love to see! ✨ #NEDGER #UWNL

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed Luis Rubiales' appeal against FIFA on his 3-year suspension from any football related activity. The CAS Panel ruled that the sanction imposed is reasonable and proportional.

Enjoyed your piece on substack. Highlighted where England will be looking to improve without sensationalising.

Also, I've got a bet on Jess Park starting in midfield. Don't know why, just a feeling 😂.