Christian Eriksen is still the maestro, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg controls the midfield - and the one player England need to keep an eye on... Five things to watch out for against Denmark

Denmark opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-1 draw against SloveniaChristian Eriksen played a starring role in his fairytale return to the tournamentLISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! How Southgate made it enjoyable to play for England again 

After a hugely promising start, Denmark's Euro 2024 opener fizzled out as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Slovenia.

Just 17 minutes into the Group C clash Christian Eriksen fired his country into the lead, exactly 1100 days after his career looked to be over on a haunting day at Euro 2020.

At the MHP Arena the Danes controlled much of the action from midfield, keeping their opponents on the back foot and looking comfortable on the ball.

However, with three points all but secured, Kasper Hjulmand's side seemingly fell apart and allowed Slovenia to equalise in the closing stages.

With just days remaining until they take on Gareth Southgate's England, Mail Sport's Riath Al-Samarrai provided his analysis of the The Red and Whites.

Christian Eriksen marked a fairytale return to the European Championships as Denmark drew with Slovenia

Kasper Hjulmand's side controlled much of the action in the Group C clash from midfield

But a breakdown in the closing stages allowed Erik Janza to secure a point for Slovenia

Eriksen is still a maestro 

Even at 32 and on the back of so much inactivity at Manchester United, Christian Eriksen can still be a maestro in Denmark’s attack.

His goal was well taken but he also played a key role in seven of their eight attacks in the first half. The issue is his engine – he noticeably tired in the second half and when his output reduced, so did that of his team.

Denmark go for two up top

Denmark played with two up front, as did Slovenia, which goes against the current vogue. Theoretically that could increase pressure on England’s weak spot at the back, though it won’t go unnoticed that Rasmus Hojlund was largely anonymous.

When he had a glorious chance for 2-0, after Victor Kristiansen rolled a beauty of a ball across the six-yard box, the United striker hesitated and failed to convert.

Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make an impact deployed alongside Jonas Wind up front

Danes were flawless in the first 45 

Denmark’s greatest strength came from controlling the midfield, which in part was made easy in the first half by Slovenia but also spoke of the strengths of Morten Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Along with Eriksen they set the tempo of the side and for an hour were solid off the ball and neat on it – in that time they didn’t permit a single shot on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. Like the collective, they lost their grip midway through the second half.

Kristiansen impresses down the wing 

One player for England to keep an eye on is Victor Kristiansen, who seemed to fall out of favour with Eric Maresca but was a persistent threat from left wing back. The 21-year-old dominated his flank, though not against anyone of Kyle Walker’s pace.

Aside from speed, he was extremely sharp with his one-touch passing, especially in exchanges with Morten Hjulmand. He could be dangerous.

Leicester full-back Victor Kristiansen proved a consistent threat down the left flank

Capitulation late on

Did Denmark fall to poor fitness or complacency? They had such a tight grip on this game and rapidly descended into crisis mode in the final 20 minutes when they could have lost.

It was surprising to hear their manager Kasper Hjulmand admit: ‘After minute 70 we lost our breath and energy. I feel our game lost some intensity and we got too passive.’