By James Cormack
The hosts Germany begin their knockout stage campaign at Euro 2024 in Dortmund on Saturday night, with Julian Nagelsmann's side facing Denmark for a place in the quarter-finals.
Having dazzled on opening night, Germany's vulnerabilities have since manifested and they came within minutes of finishing second in Group A having fallen a goal behind against Switzerland on Matchday 3.
Nagelsmann's side struggled to create against the stubborn Swiss, but their pressure paid dividends at the last with substitute Niclas Fullkrug heading home superbly to earn the hosts a point.
Expectations remain high for Germany with Euros fever certainly capturing the nation, but they have a tricky last-16 tie against Denmark to navigate before they can think about their gauntlet run to the final.
The Danes, semi-finalists three years ago, have been nothing more than functional this summer, scoring just two goals in a drab Group C. However, their three-point haul was enough to see them finish second in the group and set up Saturday's round of 16 clash.
Here's 90min's preview of Germany's round of 16 clash against Denmark at Euro 2024.
What time does Germany vs Denmark kick-off?
- Location: Dortmund, Germany
- Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
- Date: Saturday 29 June
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
- VAR: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
Germany vs Denmark H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Germany: 1 win
- Denmark: 1 win
- Draws: 3
- Last meeting: Germany 1-1 Denmark (2 June 2021) - International friendly
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Germany vs Denmark on TV and live stream
Germany team news
Nagelsmann has concerns at centre-back with Jonathan Tah missing Saturday's game through suspension and Antonio Rudiger a doubt having sustained a hamstring injury on Sunday night against Switzerland.
Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck will almost certainly replace Tah, while Robin Koch may be need to deputise for Rudiger.
There are unlikely to be any other changes to the Germany team, with Fullkrug again likely to be used as an impact substitute meaning Kai Havertz will retain his place up top.
Germany predicted lineup vs Denmark
Germany predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterback, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz.
Denmark team news
Morten Hjulmand picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Serbia and is suspended for Denmark's round of 16 clash.
The Danes do have several alternatives, however, with Brentford's Christian Norgaard most likely to come in for the Sporting CP midfielder and partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Thomas Delaney and Mathias Jensen are also options for manager Hjulmand.
Denmark may have been toothless on Matchday 3, but wholesale changes are unlikely.
Denmark predicted lineup vs Germany
Denmark predicted lineup (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Andersen Vestergaard, Christensen; Bah, Norgaard, Hojbjerg, Maehle; Eriksen; Wind, Hojlund.
Germany vs Denmark score prediction
Germany's flaws came to the fore on Matchday 3 as they were exploited on the counter-attack and a lack of runners stifled their work against a compact Switzerland block.
Denmark's system isn't too dissimilar from the Swiss', and they should cause the hosts a few problems on Saturday, especially if Germany are without their two starting centre-halves.
Hjulmand's side have struggled for attacking rhythm, however, and are likely to be reliant on high regains as a means of chance creation. Rasmus Hojlund also has the capacity to get in behind the German defence, but he's barely had a sniff at the Euros this summer.
Nagelsmann's men are going to have to grind in Dortmund on Saturday, and they could fall behind. But, the spirit shown against Switzerland suggests they won't endure a premature exit in the round of 16. They'll find a way.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 Denmark
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Germany vs Denmark: Preview, predictions and lineups.
