Sarina Wiegman left in shock by Georgia Stanway story in Lionesses press conference
One of the beauties of football is that you do not need much to play it.
All you need is a good football, a decent pitch, some comfortable clothes... and of course, your boots.
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But one of England's biggest stars recently found herself missing one of those key ingredients while on an international camp.
Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway was preparing for the Lionesses' friendlies against Austria and Italy on 23 and 27 February - both live on talkSPORT 2.
She started the 7-2 victory over Austria on Friday night but only after one part of her luggage did not make it to the training camp in Marbella with her.
Stanway revealed during a press conference that a dramatic experience had almost left her unable to train properly just days before the Lionesses' first international game of 2024.
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She said: "At the moment, I'm spending all my time trying to find my suitcase because it didn't turn up when I landed here on Monday. At the moment, I'm just trying to locate where it is."
But this was news to her England coach Sarina Wiegman, who appeared completely stunned by Stanway's admission.
Wiegman exclaimed: "You don't have your football stuff?"
To which Stanway - believing that her manager had known about the blunder - replied: "You don't know that story?"
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And the solution-oriented manager rushed to offer her help, saying: "If you need some stuff from me, that's fine."
Stanway went on to explain how exactly her boots had lost their way.
She said: "We had a little bit of a drama because (my luggage) got left in Germany and I had nothing. But an U23 player, Freya (Gregory), I was able to wear her boots for the first two days."
The story earned a huge gasp from Wiegman who had no idea of the palaver that had been going on in her own camp.
Stanway added: "And then we sent Maria to the shop last night. But hopefully my suitcase turns up in the next few days. The biggest lesson I learned was put your boots in your hand luggage!"
And with all her wisdom, Wiegman was quick to aim some good-natured teasing at the midfielder.
She told Stanway: "I thought you would have learned that a long time ago on the pathway!"
England's Lionesses are back in action for the first time since their heartbreaking exit from Olympic qualification and they are looking to put the disappointments of last year behind them.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 to hear live commentary as the Lionesses take on Italy on Tuesday 27 February from 5pm .
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