Denmark may have to do without Christian Eriksen. The director has a “stomach”. Nevertheless, the Danes around Jannik Vestergaard want to “annoy” Germany in the round of 16 on Saturday evening in Dortmund (9 p.m., radio report and live ticker).
“When we play against big nations, we always give our best,” said coach Kasper Hjulmand beforehand, “we always have a good feeling when we take on the role of underdog.” Germany is “favorite” on Saturday, added Wolfsburg’s Jonas Wind, and former Gladbach player Jannik Vestergaard said at the press conference the day before the game: “We will try to be a little annoying and play to our strengths.”
Extremely difficult preliminary round
There is little to suggest that they will be able to go through the tournament like in 1992, the preliminary round was extremely difficult. With three draws, the Danes struggled to second place in a weak group, the highlight being the stable defense around Vestergaard, Andreas Christensen and Joakim Andersen. In total, there are eleven players with a current or past connection to the Bundesliga, and coach Hjulmand was on the sidelines at 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the 2014/15 season.
How can we end the goal drought?
Above all, he has to get the goal drought under control. The connection between playmaker Christian Eriksen, who was absent from the final training session, and striker Rasmus Höjlund is a problem. “We had a few problems scoring goals. The way we played to Rasmus wasn’t right,” said the Danish coach. It’s about creating better chances. And Hjulmand added: “But putting the ball in the right position for Rasmus is the next step for us.”
The 21-year-old Höjlund has been given a lot of praise not only because of his move from Bergamo to Manchester United – fast, good left foot, physically strong, dangerous in the air. But he has hardly posed a threat at the European Championships so far, which is why the dependence on Eriksen’s goal instinct remains great.
Eriksen and Delaney have “stomach” – is their participation in jeopardy?
But Eriksen is apparently ill and there is a question mark over his participation due to stomach problems. “Christian Eriksen has stomach problems, just like Thomas Delaney,” said Hjulmand, “Christian is already feeling better, we hope that he can play tomorrow.”
The playmaker did not travel with the team on a chartered flight from the team camp in Freudenstadt, Baden-Württemberg, but traveled by car. He was due to join the team in the evening. “We didn’t want him to travel with the other players,” explained Hjulmand, who, however, “expects” Eriksen to be able to play.
“Danish Dynamite” – the fans are here
6,000 to 8,000 Danish fans are said to have tickets for the game in Dortmund. Despite their winless streak at this European Championship, the Danes are happy with the support of their fans. “It was incredible how many Danish fans have been to our games so far,” said Vestergaard, “we are so happy that we feel the support from all over the country.”
Despite the absence of the king, who is on a business trip to Greenland, it will be “the coolest game in a long time” for Denmark, according to Leipzig’s Poulsen.
