Germany may face a test of patience in the round of 16 in Dortmund on Saturday evening. Denmark will also be hoping that time will be a factor in their clash with their neighbors.
The Danes have yet to cause a storm of enthusiasm at home. They have scored just two goals, despite having two highly rated strikers in their ranks in Jonas Wind and Rasmus Höjlund, who are still almost ineffective in Germany. Manchester United's 70-million-purchase Höjlund only scored twice in three games. The Scandinavians made it through to the round of 16 with a goalless draw against Serbia, which was at least a better result than at the World Cup in Qatar, where they failed to make it past the preliminary round.
"I think we can play a bit more relaxed now," said Kasper Hjulmand, whose contract as national coach was extended until 2026 despite the World Cup disappointment. However, it would be premature to conclude from these words that the Danes are about to go on a storming run. They want to "stay alive" for as long as possible, says Wind, who plays for Wolfsburg: "The more time passes, the greater the pressure from the German fans. They expect the team to keep going. I don't see anything negative in that for us."
Denmark should be just the beginning for the Germans on their journey through the tournament tree, which will have more dangerous branches in store, as the host nation's media are already pointing out: Spain in the quarter-finals, France or Portugal in the semi-finals. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler has a word of warning: "We would all do well to focus solely on the round of 16 for the first time." Denmark is a very physical, robust team that makes it difficult for any opponent to create chances.
Against Switzerland, Niclas Füllkrug saved the Germans from defeat as a substitute. The Dortmund striker has therefore scored a few points with national coach Julian Nagelsmann, perhaps even enough to play from the start in "his" stadium against Denmark. The other question mark surrounding Germany's starting line-up concerns Antonio Rüdiger. The central defender, who was injured against Switzerland, would start alongside Nico Schlotterbeck if he is fit enough, as Jonathan Tah is suspended. Should Rüdiger also be ruled out, Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton would start in central defense.
The possible line-ups:
Germany - Denmark
Dortmund - Saturday, 21.00. - SR Oliver.
Germany: 1 Neuer; 6 Kimmich, 2 Rüdiger, 15 Schlotterbeck, 18 Mittelstädt; 23 Andrich, 6 Kroos; 10 Musiala, 21 Gündogan, 17 Wirtz; 7 Havertz.
Denmark: 1 Schmeichel; 2 Andersen, 6 Christensen, 3 Vestergaard; 18 Bah, 8 Delaney, 23 Höjbjerg, 5 Maehle; 10 Eriksen; 19 Wind, 9 Höjlund.
Comments: Germany without Tah (suspended). Denmark without Hjulmand (suspended).
SDA
