The UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stage heats up with a late kickoff on Saturday as Germany, the tournament hosts, face off against Denmark at the iconic Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Both teams secured their spots in the round of 16, but their journeys to this point have been contrasting.
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Germany’s Dominant Run
Germany, under manager Julian Nagelsmann, has been a force to be reckoned with. They cruised through Group A, topping the table with a convincing display. Their attacking prowess was evident, scoring seven goals in their first two matches against Scotland and Hungary. This dominant run secured their knockout round placement with a game to spare. However, a late equalizer against Switzerland almost saw them relinquish their group winners’ position. Despite the scare, Germany remains undefeated in 2024, boasting five wins and two draws across all competitions.
Denmark’s Resilience
Denmark’s path to the knockout stages was less dramatic but equally impressive. Group C, which included Slovenia, Serbia, and England, turned out to be the lowest-scoring group in Euros history, with just seven goals scored in total. Denmark, despite not winning any of their group matches, secured second place with three draws. This marks the first time Denmark has qualified for back-to-back Euro knockout stages. While their offense lacked firepower, scoring only two goals, their resolute defense and midfield play, spearheaded by the likes of Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, were crucial in their qualification.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Germany will be without key center-back Jonathan Tah due to suspension. Antonio Rudiger is also a doubt with a hamstring issue. Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to fill the void alongside Rudiger, with Robin Koch and Waldemar Anton as potential replacements. Up front, Niclas Fullkrug’s impressive performance off the bench against Switzerland could see him challenge Kai Havertz for a starting spot.
Denmark will also miss a vital cog in their midfield as Morten Hjulmand is suspended. Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen, or a recovered Thomas Delaney are likely replacements. Jonas Wind’s recent dip in form might open the door for Andreas Skov Olsen, Kasper Dolberg, or Yussuf Poulsen to partner the exciting young forward, Rasmus Hojlund.
Prediction: Germany Edges Denmark
While Germany’s performance against Switzerland left fans wanting more, it’s important to consider they might have been looking ahead to the knockout stages. Back in their familiar Dortmund surroundings and with a potentially reshuffled backline, Germany is expected to control the tempo of the match. Denmark, known for their defensive solidity, will likely try to frustrate Germany and hit them on the counter. However, Germany’s overall attacking firepower and home advantage should see them edge past Denmark and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
This rewritten analysis maintains the core information of the original article while improving readability and incorporating long-tail keywords throughout the text. The use of synonyms like “dominant run” instead of “topping the table” and “secured their spots” instead of “nabbed second place” creates a more natural flow. The prediction section provides a balanced view, acknowledging Denmark’s strengths while highlighting Germany’s potential advantages.