Denmark and Switzerland, two UEFA Euro 2024 participants, face each other in what could be a testing friendly for both sets of coaches.
With all the focus on the club season despite this being an international break, fans will be eager to see the back of this round of games to get back to domestic action. In truth, this particular round is crucial to most international managers, especially those with competing teams in the upcoming Euros. Denmark and Switzerland are two of those, with barely four games between now and playing their first game of the mega tournament in the summer.
For Kasper Hjulmand, it is a rare opportunity to bring his squad together and gauge them ahead of the big tournament. Denmark are in a strong form on home soil, where they have won seven straight games since mid-2022. They also have a solid record against Switzerland, although the two sides have barely met in the last three or four decades.
Murat Yakin will also have a short period to gauge his squad ahead of Switzerland’s group at the Euros. Germany, Scotland, and Hungary are all part of the said group; some consider it the most daunting at the finals.
Switzerland will have a few games to get their squad together. The current international break comes at a time when managers are at the risk of seeing some of their critical stars withdraw. Yakin’s side have not been in a good vein of form over the last few games, which may have cost them a chance to finish on top of their qualifying group.
Hence, a win in Copenhagen will be a morale-boosting prospect, although Nati have never won away to Denmark in their history. Moreover, Yakin’s side are winless in their last four international games, something he would want corrected ahead of this momentous trip, albeit for a friendly.
Team News & Tactics
Denmark
Veteran Kasper Schmeichel will continue to keep his place between the sticks for Denmark, as Kasper Hjulmand will rely on the keeper’s experience. Denmark need the presence of crucial defender Andreas Christensen, who pulled out of the squad with an Achilles problem.
The home side are also missing Andreas Skov Olsen, Christian Norgaard and Alexander Bah. Denmark have seen replacements for the quartet come in, with Mads Roerslev, Gustav Isaksen, Jacob Rasmussen, and Matt O’Riley all joining the camp.
Denmark will heavily rely on the expertise of some of their vastly experienced stars like Schmeichel, Christian Eriksen, and Simon Kjaer. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will also want a piece of the action after suffering from a lack of game time at Tottenham. They will also see whether the recent injury layoff for star striker Rasmus Hojlund has had any effect on his form as the Manchester United star leads the line.
Probable Lineup (5-3-2): Schmeichel; Maehle, Andersen, Kjaer, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Hjulmand; Wind, Hojlund
Switzerland
Switzerland will be without their No.1 ahead of these friendlies, with Gregor Kobel out of these rounds with an injury suffered while playing for Dortmund right before this break. He did report for international duty, but upon evaluation, he was sent back to Germany.
Yann Sommer remains the best-placed option to replace the stopper, with the Inter Milan star aiming to impact Murat Yakin’s ideas. Switzerland are also missing key attacker Breel Embolo, who is on the way back from an ACL injury, as Yakin will hope to have him for the finals in June.
The manager might have the chance to use alternative attacking options like Dan Ndoye, but he might go in a different direction with his team selection. There might be a place for Ndoye’s club teammate, as Michel Aebischer will likely get the nod to start in the Swiss midfield.
AC Milan attacker Noah Okafor could also get the nod to lead the line for Switzerland against Denmark on Saturday. The visitors will rely on some of their experienced stars like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Probable Lineup ( 3-4-3): Sommer; Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Ndoye, Xhaka, Aebischer, Steffen; Shaqiri, Okafor, Vargas
Key Stats
- Denmark have lost one of their last nine games in all competitions
- Denmark have won their last seven games at home
- Switzerland are winless in their previous four games.
- Switzerland have never beaten Denmark away from home in their history.
- Switzerland are winless against Denmark in their last five games
Player to Watch
Granit Xhaka
What Switzerland need right now is someone to bring the champions mentality, and Granit Xhaka will provide that. The midfielder has had a tremendous season in Germany, helping Bayer Leverkusen mount a stellar title challenge for the Bundesliga crown while remaining unbeaten at the club level in all competition.
Switzerland need someone of that calibre to get the ball rolling on the pitch, especially if they are to gain momentum ahead of the finals in June. He must put in an imperious performance that does more to galvanise his teammates and help the team get back into form in what could be their most difficult international tournament to date.
Prediction
Denmark 2-1 Switzerland
Denmark are in good form on home soil and will want to continue that run ahead of the finals. As they welcome Switzerland on home soil, they have a competitive clash, and the Red and Whites have their experienced stars to bank upon.
Switzerland are coming into this clash at the back of a four-game winless run, which might continue for Yakin’s me. The task of derailing the home side might boost their morale, but right now, the hosts might have a slight edge over the visitors, which will see them record another win over Nati.
