Germany 1-1 Denmark
Germany and Denmark played out a 1-1 draw in Tirol on Wednesday night after a dogged display by the visitors frustrated Joachim Low’s hosts.
This International Friendly: Germany vs Denmark was controlled for long periods by the hosts and Denmark were unspectacular, but they continued an impressive run of results in the run up to Euro 2020, while Germany fans can be encouraged by their team’s endeavour, if not their lack of killer instinct.
In a first half dominated by the hosts, Serge Gnabry came close when he rattled the crossbar with a long range effort, but Germany went ahead early in the second half through Florian Neuhaus. Yussuf Poulsen equalised with Denmark’s first shot on target and that was enough to earn a draw.
Highlights of the game
Germany were hoping to turn things around after a disappointing defeat to North Macedonia. They started with five FC Bayern players, a positive move as the Bavarians had by far the best attack in the Bundesliga last season. And two of them combined, in 12 minutes, to carve Germany’s first opening. Joshua Kimmich floated a superb ball in and Thomas Muller ghosted between the Danish defenders but he guided his header into the grateful hands of Kasper Schmeichel.
The hosts had plenty of possession in the first half but with little cutting edge and Schmeichel had little more to do, while Denmark seemed content to concede the ball. Kimmich provided the biggest threat and he whipped a brilliant ball that swung across the six-yard box, but no one could get the final touch as the cross whistled by.
Leroy Sane had a free-kick chance as halftime approached but he whacked his effort into the Denmark wall, and then a minute before the break Serge Gnabry hit the bar with a fierce strike, and that about summed up the first half. The Germany vs Denmark highlights for the opening period told a story of the hosts’ domination. Christian Eriksen, a Scudetto winner with Inter Milan, has been in superb form for both club and country recently, but Denmark’s go-to man was largely anonymous in the opening 45 as the Danes struggled to get out of their own half.
It had been a frustrating first half for Germany but the mood lifted in the opening minute of the second period when the hosts broke the deadlock. The ball swung in from the left and pinged around the Denmark area, and when it fell to Neuhaus he fired home from seven yards.
Germany continued to press but with a lead of only one they were always vulnerable to the breakaway, and when Eriksen finally found a moment of quality he slid the perfect ball through to Poulsen and the Red Bull Leipzig striker did the rest, beating Manuel Neuer with a low drive.
Key Statistics
Denmark, ranked 10th by FIFA (two places ahead of Germany) have been in fantastic attacking form in recent weeks, scoring 14 goals to nil in the last three games but they didn’t lay a glove on the Germans who dominated the first half.
By the end of 90 minutes the Germans had registered 16 shots to Denmark’s five, and five to one on target.
Thomas Muller made his 101st appearance for Germany under Joachim Low, equalling the record set by Toni Kroos.
The Germany vs Denmark betting odds backed a home win but Denmark have now lost only two matches in the last 27 and they will be a tough nut to crack at Euro 2020.
What’s next?
Germany head coach Joachim Low is leading Germany to a finals tournament for the last time, but before he takes his team to face World Champions France at Euro 2020 he has one more chance to fine-tune his side with a friendly against Latvia.
On Sunday Denmark have their final warm-up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina before they open their Euro 2020 campaign with a match against Finland.
Germany are in a tough four at the Euros, along with France and Portugal, and here at SBOTOP we’ll be following that group, and all the big matches, throughout the tournament. Low’s side needs to improve if they are to go deep into the competition after exiting Russia 2018 at the first hurdle. Denmark should make it through the group stage in their Euro 2020 campaign, alongside Belgium, with Russia making up the numbers in Group B.
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