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

The 2022 winners are into a sixth-successive major semi-final, but must make changes to successfully defend their European Championship title

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• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

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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 line-up in Geneva…

• Getty Images
  

  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.

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• Getty Images
  

  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.

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  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.

• Getty Images
  

  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.