If ever Wales were unfancied for a knockout game of a major summer tournament it is Saturday, when they not only come up against Denmark but also, seemingly, the Rest of the World for their last-16 clash at Euro 2020.
The Danes have become everyone’s second-favourite team following the dramatic collapse and thankful revival of Christian Eriksen on the Parken Stadium turf during their opening-game defeat to Finland.
No one would begrudge the Danes progressing as far as possible in this tournament now – and Wales are very much playing the villains in Amsterdam.
That in itself is a shame as it perhaps overlooks just what an incredible tale Wales are writing this summer. They escaped a gruelling group stage played primarily out in Azerbaijan and have, like in 2016, defied the odds to advance into the knockout rounds, this time as credible runners-up to Italy.
The world isn’t necessarily willing Wales to lose this weekend but there is a real clamour for Denmark’s journey to continue. What’s more, UK travel restrictions with the EU means there won’t be any Welsh fans arriving in Amsterdam for the match. Instead, the stadium will likely be a sea of red – but that of the Danish kind.
“It’s going to be really tough but hopefully we can [win],” admitted Connor Roberts. “I think 99% of the world are going to be supporting Denmark.
“It’s going to be tough but we’re a good team, we’ve got good players and we’ve got a little bit of momentum with good performances under our belts.
“They’re a really good team and they’re going to have a lot of support but, when we cross that white line, we just have to give everything.”
How to watch Wales vs Denmark
- Date: Saturday 26 June
- Kick-off time: 5pm [BST]
- Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena (Netherlands)
- TV channel: BBC One and S4C
- Live stream: Watch the game online via iPlayer
- Highlights: Shown on both iPlayer and ITV Hub
Wales vs Denmark key battles
While Wales’ strengths are well documented in the individual brilliance of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Daniel James complimenting the defensive solidity and team togetherness that has again fired the nation into the knockout stages of a major summer tournament, Denmark’s talents are only just being recognised on the international stage.
There were points in recent years where Denmark had been written off as a team solely centred around Eriksen, much like how people perceived Sweden when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was their star striker, but things are now changing.
Roberts vs Damsgaard
The Danes have had to prove they aren’t a one-man team since Eriksen’s withdrawal from the squad. Mikkel Damsgaard has so far been the perfect stand-in for the playmaker. The Sampdoria youngster does his fair share of defensive duties but can also float forward with the ball.
With Joakim Maehle on the overlap there could be a few problems for Connor Roberts to contend with. The full-back himself likes to bomb forward but if he leaves too much space then Damsgaard could work his magic.
Allen vs Delaney
Damsgaard’s presence – like Eriksen’s – means Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg can concentrate on marshalling the midfield, which they did with ease when beating England in the Nations League last October.
Hojbjerg is the more conservative of the pair and Delaney will be tasked with pressing the opposition – and it’s a prospect Joe Allen needs to be aware of.
Allen has great vision and will need to anticipate Delaney’s presence here if Wales are to feed the ball through this Danish midfield. Expect a crunching tackle or two between these men.
Ramsey vs Hojbjerg
Defensively Andreas Christensen and Simon Kjaer have a strong centre-back partnership, while boss Kasper Hjulmand deployed three at the back to great success against Russia. Expect Jannik Vestergaard to line up alongside the duo once again.
But a key to this Danish defence is Hojbjerg dropping deep and picking up the runners. On Saturday he could end up sticking to Aaron Ramsey throughout the contest.
It was Bale’s vision and Ramsey’s run that earned Wales that glorious goal against Turkey and Hojbjerg – along with right-sided defender Christensen – will be careful not to let Ramsey slip through in similar fashion here.
Discussing his side’s potential quarter-final date with the Dutch, Delaney said: “We are a good team, we play good football with a good style, which was founded many years ago under [ex-coach Age] Hareide with a stable level, which has been further developed by Hjulmand.
“I have a feeling we are better than Wales. The Netherlands are one of the big teams for me, but let’s talk about them once we have beaten Wales.”
Predicted Denmark XI vs Wales (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Vestergaard, Kjaer, Christensen; Mæhle, Delaney, Hojbjerg, Wass; Damsgaard, Braithwaite; Poulsen
More from i on Euro 2020
- England aren’t ‘rubbish’ and Southgate isn’t a ‘fraud’ – we just need a bit of patience
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3haeURJ
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