In Video: Sarina Wiegman raises player safety concerns after issue of poor pitches

Serena Vman’s England Squad Faces New Dispute with FA Over Bonuses for Euros 2024

Ahead of the highly anticipated Nations League double header against Belgium next month, England’s manager, Serena Vman, has announced her squad for the upcoming matches. However, her preparations have been disrupted by reports of a new dispute between the players and the FA over bonuses for this summer’s European Championship.

This comes on the heels of a previous dispute over bonuses for the 2023 World Cup, which was only resolved after the Lionesses’ return from the tournament. When asked about the current situation, Vman expressed her hopes for a quick resolution, saying, "I think we’re going in the right direction. I hope we’ll get to an agreement very soon, as it brings calmness before the tournament."

The news has sparked concerns about the team’s morale and focus ahead of the crucial matches against Belgium. Vman’s predecessors have faced similar issues in the past, and it remains to be seen how this impasse will affect the team’s performance.

Real Madrid’s Pitch Criticized by Arsenal’s Leah Williamson

In a separate development, Arsenal’s head coach, Leah Williamson, has criticized the state of Real Madrid’s pitch ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal. The much-anticipated match will take place at the Emirates Stadium, but Williamson bemoaned the poor conditions of the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, calling it "like playing on rocks." The weather conditions were also a major factor, with Williamson stating, "We wasted a potential opportunity to show what we can do on a pitch that’s not ideal."

Williamson emphasized the importance of having good pitches for top-level football, saying, "It’s what we want to do. We want to be on the ball, move the ball, and play our style of football. But it’s not always possible on every pitch." She also stressed the importance of player safety, stating, "We need to keep working on these things to get players on pitches that are really good, where they can show their performances at the highest level."

Arsenal’s Quest for Champions League Glory

Arsenal face a tall task in attempting to overturn a two-goal deficit against Real Madrid, but they can draw inspiration from their previous Champions League quarterfinal experience against Bayern Munich in 2022. The Gunners came back from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 on aggregate and will be looking to repeat that feat at the Emirates Stadium.

Williamson believes that experience can provide a key boost to the team’s morale, saying, "The experience of overturning that quarterfinal against Bayern Munich I think that comes in handy for anybody who played in that game. You know, good things happen in football, bad things happen in football, and when the good things happen, you keep them in your pocket and just as much as the bad."

It remains to be seen how the team will fare in the return leg, but with the spirit and determination of this squad, they will be looking to make history once again.

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