TOPS-FLOPS – Germany qualified for the quarter-finals by beating Denmark with difficulty (2-0) on Saturday evening in Dortmund.
TOPS
An exciting match
We could deplore a two-faced first act, but let’s highlight the great intensity shown by the Germans at the start of the match. Nagelsmann’s men lacked efficiency – despite Schlotterbeck’s disallowed goal – but raised a few alarms on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal in the first twenty minutes. Musiala, Havertz and Kroos tried first, before finding the fault in the second half. The Danes woke up, and through Maelhe and Eriksen, the chances piled up on Neuer’s goal. But they, too, failed to be effective. The interruption, because of the storm, did not lower the intensity of the twenty-two actors. The second half was just as exciting as the first and saw Germany show its superiority.
Havertz and Schlotterbeck, the permanent threat
An attacking central defender. Dortmund player Nico Schlotterbeck was a constant threat from a corner and gave Musiala an assist for the second goal. Kai Havertz was in several areas of the game. First with the left foot, then with the head and in passing combinations. A score which proves Nagelsmann right, while the Arsenal player had missed his last two outings, but his evening activity deserved a goal. He still lacks the killing ability of Füllkrug, and this could be a deficiency for the rest of the competition. We saw it again in this face-to-face with Schmeichel in the second period, where his dive ball ended up flush with the Danish post. Fortunately for him, he scored his penalty to take Germany to the quarter-finals and in one, two or ten years, we will only remember that.
Manuel Neuer, the effective wall
He disgusted everyone. Holjund, Eriksen and the others. We must remember where he comes from. Already ultra-decisive against Hungary (2-0) in the second group match, he once again showed the skeptics that he was back to his best level and at the best of times. He left no chance to the two poor Danish shots on target, was very intelligent and lively to save his team during an exit against Hojlund. An action that could have tipped the match to the wrong side, but fortunately for the Germans, Neuer left his team in the race and the attackers were finally able to take advantage at the back.
Read alsoEuro 2024: Germany wins against Denmark after a good second half and reaches the quarter-finals
FLOPS
Rasmus Hojlund not up to par
The Manchester United striker was not present enough on Saturday night (9pm) in the round of 16 against Germany (2-0). Lined up at the forefront of the Danish attack, he was initially ghostly before the break – due to a storm that was too violent above Dortmund – then he was clumsy during the two opportunities that followed. The one-on-one with Neuer, just before the break, should stay in his mind for a long time, as will his left-footed opportunity in the second half where he was unable to bring the two teams back to level.
Andersen the Unhappy
How hard! The former OL defender had almost a perfect match and yet, it was he who indirectly condemned the Danes to return to Copenhagen after the match. Initially a scorer, his goal was disallowed because his teammate Delaney was too tall, flagged offside. On the action that followed, the number 2 almost took his arm off Raum’s cross. He gave the Germans the opportunity to open the score and then take off.
