Germany face Denmark in the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16, with a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament up for grabs.
Tournament hosts Germany have not been able to make their mark in a major international competition in recent years, and they will look to win the Euros this time around. Their performances have been quite convincing so far, and Germany will be heading into the game vs Denmark as the favourites.
Meanwhile, Denmark are no pushovers, and they will look to pull off an upset here. They have been very difficult to beat in the tournament so far, and it will be interesting to see if they can produce a strong performance here and upset the odds.
On paper, Germany are undoubtedly the better team, but Denmark has the quality to surprise them. The hosts cannot afford to be complacent here, and they will have to be at their best in order to grind out of positive result. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
Jonathan Tah is suspended for Germany here. Other than that, there are no major injury issues for Julian Nagelsmann to deal with. Germany will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Denmark, with Manuel Neuer in goal.
Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstadt will start as the full-backs here. They will look to help out defensively and in the final third as well. Antonio Rudiger will form the central defensive partnership alongside Nico Schlotterbeck.
As for the midfield unit, Emre Can will start alongside Toni Kroos. Can will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side. Kroos will look to dictate the tempo of the game from the deep with his long passing and vision.
Ilkay Gundogan will start as the central attacking midfielder here. Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala will start on the flanks, and they will look to add pace and flair to the side. Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Germany vs Denmark.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt; Can, Kroos; Sane, Gundogan, Musiala; Fullkrug
Denmark
Denmark will be without the services of Morten Hjulmand, who has picked up his second yellow part of the tournament during the draw against Serbia. He is suspended for the crucial clash against Germany.
Denmark will shape up in 3-4-1-2 formation vs Germany, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal. The central defensive unit should see Joachim Anderson starting alongside Andreas Christensen and Jannik Vestergaard.
Alexander Bah and Joakim Maehle will start as the wing-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. They will look to protect the central defenders and help out during counter-attacking opportunities.
Thomas Delaney will start in central midfield alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. They will look to keep things compact in the middle and control the tempo of the game. Christian Eriksen will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to create opportunities in the final third with his passing and vision. Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Denmark alongside Jonas Wind.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Bah, Delaney, Hojbjerg, Maehle; Eriksen; Hojlund, Wind
Key Stats
- Germany have picked up just one win from the last six meetings vs Denmark.
- Three of the last four matches between these two teams have ended in a draw.
- Five of the last six matches between Germany and Denmark have seen both teams score.
- Both teams are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Toni Kroos
The German international midfielder has had an impressive tournament so far, and he will be a crucial player for his side here as they look to dominate the round of 16 contest against Denmark.
Denmark will be without Morten Hjulmand vs Germany, and they might struggle to control the midfield in his absence. The Sporting CP defensive midfielder is integral to the way they play, and his absence will allow Kroos to dominate proceedings in the middle of the park. The Real Madrid midfielder could make a huge difference if he has the time and space in the middle.
Prediction
Germany 3-1 Denmark
Germany have the better team on paper, and they should be able to pick up a win vs Denmark. Meanwhile, Kasper Hjulmand’s men are without a key midfielder, and they could struggle to control proceedings in the middle of the park because of that.
Although Denmark are likely to make life difficult for the tournament hosts here, Germany have enough technical and attacking quality in the final third to find a way past them. A comfortable win for the Germans is on the cards here.
