Prelude to Denmark-Germany: A Historic Euro 2024 Round of 16
Saturday night at 9:00 pm, Denmark and Germany will clash in a high-stakes round of 16 match at Euro 2024 in Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund. With Michael Oliver as the referee and the match broadcasted on TV 2, it will be a game that could have decisive implications for both nations’ Euro fates.
Germany:
After a disappointing exit in the 2022 World Cup and a year and a half without meaningful matches, Germany under Julian Nagelsmann has shown that they are still a powerhouse. They started Euro 2024 with an impressive 5-1 victory over Scotland and followed it with a controlled 2-0 win against Hungary. However, the 1-1 draw against Switzerland showed that the Germans can be vulnerable. Jonathan Tah is suspended, while Antonio Rüdiger is dealing with an injury, which could create problems in defense.
Denmark:
The Danish national team has had a somewhat uneven start to Euro 2024. Three drawn matches and a total goal difference of 2:2 have seen them progress on fewer yellow cards than Slovenia. The defense has been strong, but the offense still needs to show its potential. Morten Hjulmand is suspended, which could lead to a midfield change with either Christian Nørgaard or Thomas Delaney stepping in.
The match will be the 33rd meeting between Denmark and Germany/West Germany. Historically, Germany has had the upper hand with 17 wins to Denmark’s 9. However, recent encounters have been more evenly matched, with draws in the last two matches.
Henrik Jacobs, a German national team expert, says that a defeat to Denmark would send shockwaves through Germany. There is great optimism around Nagelsmann’s project, but the match against Switzerland showed that the Germans can be vulnerable against well-organized teams like Denmark. The Germans have traditionally been successful at the Westfalenstadion, but a victory is far from guaranteed against the hard-fighting Danes.
Germany:
Germany has been strong in their recent matches with victories over Greece, Scotland, and Hungary, as well as a draw against Switzerland. Their offensive play has been effective, but they have also been punished on counterattacks.
Denmark:
Denmark has been consistent but not convincing. Victories over Sweden and Norway before the tournament gave hope, but the three drawn matches in the group stage show that they struggle to decide games in their favor.
Germany (3-4-3):
Neuer – Kimmich, Schlotterbeck, Rüdiger – Mittelstädt, Andrich, Kroos – Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz – Füllkrug
Denmark (3-5-2):
Schmeichel – Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard – Bah, Nørgaard, Højbjerg, Eriksen, Mæhle – Wind, Højlund
Denmark enters the match as underdogs, but it is in this role that they have often delivered their best performances. Germany are the favorites, but they have shown weaknesses that Denmark can exploit. It will be a match where both teams need to perform at their best to secure a place in the quarterfinals. A draw could very well be the result, and then it may have to be decided in extra time or a penalty shootout.