NI v Denmark(20/11/2023)

SCOUTING REPORT Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Denmark ahead of this evening’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier in Belfast. LOWDOWN Prior to their top of the table clash with Slovenia in Copenhagen last Friday, Denmark were guaranteed at least a spot in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs. Victory in that game against the Slovenians - or indeed Kazakhstan failing to beat San Marino - would have sealed automatic qualification, however. The Danes were four points clear of third-placed Kazakhstan going into the final two rounds of Group H fixtures, which conclude tonight, and the top two nations qualify for the tournament. Denmark had won six, drawn one and lost just one of their first eight Group H fixtures. Their task of sealing qualification either last Friday or tonight was made more difficult with key squad members including captain Simon Kjær, Christian Eriksen, Robert Skov and Rasmus Højlund being absent through injury for this round of fixtures. Højlund was Group H’s top goalscorer after eight rounds of matches with seven goals. TACTICS Kasper Hjulmand has been Denmark national team manager since 2020 and he usually sets his side up in a fluid 4-3-3 formation. At least one of Denmark’s midfielders will operate as a deep-lying player, screening their back four, while they typically operate with

two wingers and only one out-and-out centre forward, meaning their formation appears more like a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-2-1 in reality. The Danes are a pressing outfit and they look to overload central areas in their attempts to block opposition attacks and recover the ball successfully. This overload is achieved by both their full-backs pushing into more advanced positions and by their wide midfielders dropping deeper when they are not in possession. STRENGTHS While Simon Kjær’s absence tonight means there will be a personnel switch in Denmark’s usual backline, Hjulmand still has a wealth of defensive experience at his disposal. Son of UEFA Euro 1992 winner Peter Schmeichel, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was just three caps short of a century of appearances for the national team prior to Denmark’s match against Slovenia on Friday. He has represented his country at four major tournaments to date and was a key member of the side which reached the semi-finals of the delayed UEFA Euro 2020. In front of him tonight is likely to be Barcelona central defender Andreas Christensen, who is a wonderful reader of the game and, at 6ft 2in, a dominant force in the air. His likely partner, Joachim Andersen, is also a towering presence at 6ft 4in and a ball-playing defender who is able to play either side of central defence and as a defensive midfielder. Both of Denmark’s full-backs play an important role in the team’s pressing style of play and also often join in their nation’s attacking moves. Joakim Mæhle and Rasmus Kristensen of VfL Wolfsburg and Roma respectively are likely to operate in those full-back positions this evening. The creativity of Christian Eriksen and goals of Rasmus Højlund will undoubtedly be a big miss for Denmark. However, Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – often regarded first and foremost as a defensive midfielder – has an

impressive drive and range of passing. RB Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen is an

excellent finisher and a player who is able to hold the ball up well and bring others into play.

IRISHFA.COM

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