Euro 2024 hosts Germany face Denmark after Swiss ‘warning shot’
HERZOGENAURACH – Euro 2024 hosts Germany know that they are not formidable, despite having strong home support as they seek to win their first major trophy since the 2014 World Cup.
They head into their last-16 clash with Denmark on June 29 in Dortmund hoping to have learnt from their 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final group-stage match.
After a decade of struggles, the Germans were riding high after wins over Scotland and Hungary to start the Euro.
But they came crashing back down to earth against Switzerland and were on course for defeat, before Niclas Fullkrug’s stoppage-time header snatched a draw – and with it, first place in Group A.
It was a wake-up call, particularly with fans already eyeing a fourth Euro crown, and a reminder that coach Julian Nagelsmann has plenty to work on.
Germany are still favourites for this match, but it was a similar situation in the Euro 1992 final before they were famously beaten 2-0 by the Danes.
A Euro and World Cup winner as a player, Berti Vogts coached Germany in that heartbreaking game and admitted in his column in the RP newspaper on June 27 that his team “underestimated” Denmark.
“In 1992 we lost the Euros final against a great Danish team even though we were the favourites – like the German team is now,” he wrote. “Everyone thought we had the title in the bag – unfortunately some players did too.”
Well-drilled and with a smattering of excellent players like Christian Eriksen at top clubs, 2020 semi-finalists Denmark resemble Switzerland in many ways.
Vogts also said the current Danish incarnation may not boast the same level of quality as their 1992 counterparts, but that the pressure is well and truly on the Germans.
“The Danes were hungry for success and carefree, they just played football and took us by surprise – also because we underestimated them,” he said.
“The German team should not make that mistake now. The Switzerland game was an important warning shot.”
Germany won just three of 11 games in 2023 but are yet to lose in 2024, winning five times and drawing twice, thanks at least in part to Nagelsmann picking the same starting XI.
The coach only deviated from his starters when forced through injury or unavailability.
The policy may have given Germany stability, but it cost him centre-back Jonathan Tah for the Denmark clash, after the defender picked up a second yellow card against Switzerland.
In his place, the talented yet unpredictable Nico Schlotterbeck will likely play, while Antonio Rudiger is also a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Nagelsmann may be tempted to replace forward Kai Havertz – who has been preferred for the three group games – with Fullkrug, who has scored twice off the bench so far including his late goal against the Swiss.
Since making his debut aged 29 in 2022, Fullkrug has 13 goals to Havertz’s seven.
For all his qualities, Havertz has just one penalty goal so far at Euro 2024, and against a Danish defence that ground their way to draws against England, Slovakia and Serbia, the power and physicality of Fullkrug may be the best option.
Denmark, meanwhile, have scored just two goals in their three stalemates despite being dangerous opponents.
Coach Kasper Hjulmand is still struggling to find the balance between defensive solidity and attacking verve, not a good sign at this stage of the tournament.
The Danes will also be missing a key player with midfielder Morten Hjulmand suspended, and either Thomas Delaney or Christian Norrgaard will slot in alongside Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg and behind Eriksen in midfield, where Hjulmand expects the match to be won and lost.
“We have to close down the central space, Germany are one of the hardest-pressing teams at the Euros,” he warned.
“They win the ball back very quickly, so it’s important that we can play the ball around in there.” AFP, REUTERS