Rachel Brown-Finnis: Winning habits will stay, even if Covid keeps Sarina Wiegman away

England are a well-oiled machine under Sarina Wiegman. They know their jobs and there is every chance the starting XI could be unchanged again tonight.

They have had a couple of extra days’ preparation for the semi-final against Spain since Friday’s victory over Northern Ireland and the girls will be well prepared and well versed in what Sarina wants them to do.

Assistant manager Arjan Veurink will be duplicating everything he and Sarina have been doing in the past and planning for in training in the run-up to the tie and Wiegman herself will still be in control, even if she is not given the all-clear after Covid.

The players have had plenty of time to get used to what Sarina demands from them and I don’t expect the tactics to differ against Spain – I think England will again take the game to their opponents.

There will have been discussions about ‘what ifs’ in the lead-up to the tournament – circumstances beyond England’s control which they knew they may have to deal with at some point this summer.

Ellen White, Lotte Wubben-Moy and now Hannah Hampton have also tested positive for the virus during the Euros, so the Lionesses have been hit hard. But the messages the players will have been receiving – from the coaching staff or from Sarina herself either virtually or from afar on the training pitch – will be the same. Nothing has changed.

So that is why I don’t think it makes a massive impact if Wiegman gets clearance to be in the dugout in time for the match or not.

The team did very well without her on the sidelines last Friday, although admittedly Spain are a different prospect altogether.

They are ranked one place above England in the Fifa world rankings at seven but, while they have been stripped of the talents of Alexia