UEFA Euro 2020: Denmark vs England Preview
England will play Denmark in the semi-final of the Euro 2020 for a place in the final. England defeated Ukraine 4-0 to set up this tie, while Denmark defeated Czech republic 2-1 on their way to the semi-final. It’s been 25yrs since England last made it to the semi-final of an European championship. They remain the only side yet to concede at the ongoing Euros with 4 wins and a draw.
After losing their talisman, Christian Eriksen to a heart condition before losing their rescheduled match to Finland and subsequently, Belgium, it was believed that the Danes would be out of the tournament but they have since picked themselves up to defeat Russia and haven’t looked back since then, playing some scintillating football without fear and plenty of team spirit. They have gone on to score 10 goals since their loss against Belgium with their captain Simon Kjaer describing it as “playing with Eriksen in our heart”.
Style of play
England usually play a 4-2-3-1 formation except against Germany where they played with 3 at the back in order to neutralize the Germans and their attack. This shows that Southgate is one coach that adapts to his opponents instead of trying to impose their style on their opponents. With a back line of four and a double pivot, they are not usually short of defensive cover thereby allowing their offensive players the freedom to run at the opponents and try to create something without neglecting their defensive duties. This solidity has made them the only team yet to concede in this tournament.
Denmark started out with a flat 4-3-3 formation, looking to pass the ball around and looking up to Eriksen to create the moment of magic. But with his exit from the tournament due to cardiac arrest and losing their first two matches, adjustments were made and the team switched to a 3-4-3 formation, playing with high intensity and energy which has proved to be effective as the team has gone from strength to strength at the tournament. They force their opponents out wide and create an overload, winning the ball to start a quick counter with Mikkel Damsgaard, Joakim Maehle and Wass being the key component to this particular style of play.
Recent form
In their last six matches, England have drawn just one and won the remaining five, conceding zero goals and scored nine goals.
Denmark lost two matches and won four matches, scoring twelve goals while conceding five goals in their last six matches.
Head to head
In the last ten matches played against each other, Denmark have had the upper hand, winning 4 matches to England’s 3 victories with 3 stalemates in between. England’s biggest victory was in 2005, beating Denmark by 4-1 while Denmark’s biggest victory came in 2003 with a 3-2 win. From the statistics, it seems that both team are balanced out and no clear favorite for this tie.
Players to watch
Harry Kane is the danger man for England but eyes should be on Sterling who has scored 3 goals while not forgetting Luke Shaw (4 assists) and Sancho.
Denmark lost their key player to cardiac arrest but they’re able to count on their rock solid captain at the back, Simon Kjaer while going forward, they have the energetic Damsgaard (1goal, 1 assist) and can count on Kasper Dolberg and Yussuf Poulsen to supply the goals.
Prediction
A low scoring tie which might end up with extra time and possibly penalties.
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