According to DFB sports director Rudi Völler, the German national team is going into the European Championship round of 16 against Denmark with great confidence. “They are a very dangerous opponent, we know that,” said Völler. “We have earned this optimism, this self-confidence. We definitely have the confidence that we want to move into the next round,” said the sports director at the DFB headquarters in Herzogenaurach.
The Danish team qualified for the knockout round of the European Football Championship as group runners-up with three draws. “It is a very physical, robust team that makes it difficult for any opponent to create chances,” said Völler. Coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team is strong in the air, even in set pieces, but struggles to score goals themselves.
Völler said that he and the DFB team were really looking forward to the match in Dortmund on Saturday (9 p.m./ZDF and MagentaTV). “Now it’s a new competition, now it’s a knockout system, round of 16, now it counts. And we’re prepared,” said the 64-year-old.
Antonio Rüdiger could perhaps play on Saturday
Meanwhile, three days after straining his right thigh, central defender Antonio Rüdiger was able to complete a light running session in the fitness tent next to the training ground. However, he was not yet able to take part in team training with the rest of the team due to the injury.
The DFB sports director does not completely rule out Rüdiger’s participation on Saturday: “In the end, Toni will decide together with the coach and the medical department. At the moment it is too early to say anything definitive,” said Völler.
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If Rüdiger is also out, as is the suspended central defender Jonathan Tah, Völler does not want to cause panic. “There are no negative thoughts that things might not go well,” he said. Nico Schlotterbeck, who came on as a substitute in the game against Switzerland, played well.
Völler leaves striker question open
The DFB sports director did not say who would play up front against the Danes on Saturday. “Fülle’s quota is certainly exceptional,” said Völler. The 31-year-old Niclas Füllkrug has scored 13 goals in 19 international matches. “It’s unbelievable how he scores in the playing time he gets,” said former striker Völler.
However, Völler also sees advantages for Kai Havertz to be in the starting eleven again. “Kai is an outstanding footballer, even if he hasn’t scored a goal apart from the penalty (against Scotland),” said Völler. “But he is enormously important for the team, the way he works, the way he keeps the ball up front, the way he demands it. His teammates notice that too,” said the 64-year-old.
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According to DFB sports director Rudi Völler, the German national team is going into the European Championship round of 16 against Denmark with great confidence. “They are a very dangerous opponent, we know that,” said Völler. “We have earned this optimism, this self-confidence. We definitely have the confidence that we want to move into the next round,” said the sports director at the DFB headquarters in Herzogenaurach.
The Danish team qualified for the knockout round of the European Football Championship as group runners-up with three draws. “It is a very physical, robust team that makes it difficult for any opponent to create chances,” said Völler. Coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team is strong in the air, even in set pieces, but struggles to score goals themselves.
