Urheilu’s expert Maija Saari estimates that the rule of five substitutes has helped the top countries in the European football championships. He warns of an increase in workloads in women’s football as well.
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Substitute players have scored important goals for their teams in the European football championships.
England, which has become very popular Alessia Russo has scored four goals and assisted one. Still, he has had to settle for the role of substitute player.
– I have never met a player who would enjoy playing for 30 minutes, Urheilu’s expert Maija Saari says.
Russo agrees, after the group stage said to the BBC (You’re switching to another service), that he just needs to be patient. He has played a total of 199 minutes in the five matches of the tournament.
Even the Equalizing goal in the quarter-final didn’t give Russo a place in the starting line-up against Sweden.
In the semi-final match, Russo scored perhaps the finest goal of the games. Still, it is believed in the English media that the striker will also start the final from the bench. England’s starting line-up has been unchanged throughout the tournament.
– Russo could start, but I think the starting line-up has played really well. He has settled into his role well, so let’s see how we proceed, head coach Sarina Wiegman said at the press conference after the Sweden match.
According to expert Saare, Russo is an excellent replacement player for his coach, who is able to change the picture of the game strongly.
– It would be interesting to see how he would compare from the start of the game to Ellen WhiteSaari thinks.
Germany has made the most of it
By looking at the semi-final teams of the European Championships, it becomes clear how the top countries have used their substitute players. For example, Germany have used all their possible substitutions, and each of the field players has received minutes in the tournament.
Due to the corona pandemic, many competitions were played with the rule of five substitutions. In international football, the rule has been preserved since 2020. Also in this summer’s European Championships, five player substitutions can be made, six including the follow-on match.
The change to the gameplay can be significant.
– Five substitutions is half of the field players. It brings a lot of speed to the game and possibly creates additional situations, Saari estimates.
In addition to Russo, he also warmed the bench in England Ella Toone has scored a goal and assisted another. A substitute has scored three times for Germany. Twice the substitute has given the last pass.
One of Germany’s goalscorers is Alexandra Poppwho went to the tournament probably as a substitute. by Lea Schüller due to the corona infection, he got a place in the starting line-up.
Neither England nor Germany have conceded goals after the substitutions, so the so-called field balance has not been disturbed.
Head coaches Martina Voss-Teckelenburg and Sarina Wiegman have received praise for their tactics.
– Substitution often turns into a different type of player, so those on the field have to find the substitute’s strengths. It is important for the coach to be able to communicate to the field what kind of change is wanted in the game, says Saari.
The substitution rule was highlighted in Germany’s games, especially in the EC quarter-final against Austria. Germany narrowly won the match when the 2-0 goal came in the last minute due to a goalkeeper’s failure.
– Austria started to “press their feet”, while Germany was able to maintain the tempo. The team minimized Austria’s attempts to equalize, and in doing so, Germany secured a place in the semifinals.
In England, on the other hand, the changes came to the fore in the quarter-final against Spain. Spain put England in a tight spot, but substitutes Toone and Russo scored the decisive goals for England. England won 2–1 after the follow-up match.
England quickly replaced three attacking players, while Spain replaced a defensive player. According to Saari, England took control of the game with their substitutions, while Spain tried to secure their lead.
According to Saari, the biggest importance of player changes is on the tactical side. The expert says that different exchange scenarios are thought about in advance.
– The team often has players with different strengths. When substitutions are made, we hope for a change in the game picture – depending on what the situation is in the match.
The amount of load can be reduced with exchanges
Another important aspect of the player exchange is the physical side. Injuries force players to change, but in tournament-style games, the load also accumulates quickly. Then, according to Saare, the substitutions give fresh legs on the field, which can change the flow of the game.
– If the opponent doesn’t have the opportunity to switch, the other team can change the pace of the game a lot. Switching is always also a risk, because it is not possible to know in advance whether the player will succeed.
Saari feels that as women’s soccer develops, the amount of load can be reduced by substitutions. As the level and tempo of the game increases, the risk of injury becomes more prominent. On the men’s side, it is known that the load amounts have grown really large.
– It would be important to be able to share the load. The health of the players must be protected, so hopefully the changes could have an effect on that.
“Being in the exchange is mentally challenging”
England and Sweden have not favored heavy minutes in the European Championship, but often get more than ten minutes of playing time. France and Germany still let their players onto the field for the last few minutes.
The semi-final teams have benefited from their wide lineup. According to Saari, the top countries get a big advantage from the exchanges. If the starting line-up is strong and there are players of the same level on the bench, the team is able to “maintain the level”.
– Changes may not always be beneficial, but the consistency of the players gives it a better chance.
The coaches of the top four teams have also had a clear plan regarding substitute players. The substitutions for England, France and Germany are mainly made at the 60th minute of the game, while Sweden made a substitution 20 minutes before the end.
Saari says that the role of substitute player is always difficult. Everyone would like to be in the starting lineup, and starting as a substitute requires a certain kind of mentality.
– Being in the exchange is mentally challenging because you have to keep yourself tuned.
– You have to be able to prepare for the game in any case. The substitute must be ready to jump onto the field after five minutes of play or after 80 minutes.
France will face Germany in the semifinals of the European Championship on Wednesday from 22:00. The live broadcast of the match starts at 21:15 on TV2, Areena and the app. Bet on the opening goal scorer of the match in Futistietäjä and win a technical ball!