Germany vs Denmark Euro 2024: Hosts Look to Bounce Back After Switzerland Draw for the Glory
Germany vs Denmark Euro 2024 Showdown: Despite having a more impressive trophy cabinet than their northern neighbors, Germany lost the Euro 1992 final against the Danes.
2024’s hosts for Euro Germany hopes to have learnt from their final group stage match on Sunday, a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, going into their matchup with Denmark in the round of 16 on Saturday in Dortmund.
Following their commanding victories over Scotland and Hungary to open the Euros, Germany was in good spirits after nearly ten years of disappointments at major championship events. However, Germany was about to lose their match against Switzerland when Niclas Fuellkrug’s header in stoppage time stole a draw and, with it, the top spot in the group.
The hosts desperately needed this wake-up call, especially as supporters are already looking forward to a fourth Euros championship. Coach Julian Nagelsmann still has a lot of work ahead of him.
Despite having a more impressive trophy cabinet than their northern neighbors, Germany lost the Euro 1992 final against the Danes.
Though it became a fairytale when Yugoslavia was excluded prior to the tournament and Denmark triumphed despite not qualifying, Germany still regrets undervaluing the Danes.
In his column in the RP newspaper on Thursday, Berti Vogts, who managed Germany in that 1992 final and won the World Cup and Euros as a player, acknowledged 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 stated. “Everyone thought we had the title in the bag — unfortunately some players did too.”
Denmark, the 2020 semi-finalists, are similar to Switzerland in many aspects. They are well-drilled and have a few outstanding players at elite clubs.
Vogts stated that although the Danish team of today may not be as good as their counterparts from 1992, the Germans are under a lot of strain. “We misjudged the Danes, who played football with carefree abandon and a hunger for success that caught us off guard.
“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 said.
“Everyone thought we had the title in the bag — unfortunately some players did too.”
2020 semi-finalists Denmark are similar to Switzerland in many aspects, having a strong drill team and a few outstanding players at elite clubs.
The Germans are under a lot of pressure, according to Vogts, even though the current Danish version may not be as good as its 1992 predecessors. “We misjudged the Danes, who simply played football and took us by surprise. They were carefree and eager for success.”
“It is not the time for the German squad to make that error. Thus, the Switzerland match served as a crucial warning.”
Thanks in part to Nagelsmann sticking with the same starting lineup, Germany won five of their eleven games in 2024 and only lost three in 2023.
The coach only switched up his starting lineup when it was necessary due to an injury or absence. Although the policy brought stability to Germany, it lost him Jonathan Tah, the center back, for the match against Denmark when the defender received a second yellow card against Switzerland.
Nico Schlotterbeck, a gifted but erratic center defender for Borussia Dortmund, will start in his place on Saturday.
Due to a hamstring injury, Antonio Rudiger is also questionable for the match; nonetheless, Schlotterbeck stated on Thursday that “I hope it works out that he returns.”
“I had the same injury already and it’s not easy to get out of your mind.”
The Germans, according to Schlotterbeck, “actually knew everything” about the Danes.
“The offense, defense, and overall game plan. We are aware of Denmark and our strategy for them,” he declared.
The 24-year-old expressed excitement for the Saturday game at his home stadium, predicting that Dortmund’s customary yellow wall would turn into a “wall of white.”
Nagelsmann will be forced to make a decision by Tah’s absence, but he might be tempted to start Niclas Fuellkrug, an Arsenal attacker who has scored twice off the bench so far, in place of Kai Havertz.
Havertz has scored seven goals since making his debut in 2022 at the age of 29, whereas Fuellkrug has scored thirteen, with the Dortmund striker typically coming off the bench.
Just two seasons ago, Fuellkrug was playing football in the second division. He expressed no fear about his status as a supersub.
“The title is so much more important than the individual.”
