Germany vs. Denmark: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
The Under-21 European Championships hosts its third blockbuster tie in as many days, as Germany face Denmark in what is sure to be Group A's most star-studded matchup.
A win for the Danes would place them on six points and all but clinch passage to the semi-final stage, but a win for die Deutsche could shake up the group and draw three sides about level. Both teams can improve tenfold on their opening displays, but who will come out on top?
The Details
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Group A
Venue: Stadion Eden, Prague
Date: June 20, 2015
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST
TV and Live Stream: BT Sport 1 & HD (UK) / UEFA.tv live stream
Germany Preview
Die Deutsche severely underwhelmed in the opener, and Horst Hrubesch got the team selection wrong. There are some obvious changes to make ahead of this one, and it all starts with removing Philipp Hofmann from the front line.
He failed to interact with the midfield, hold the ball, open passing channels or make runs. Kevin Volland should move to the striker's role, with Leonardo Bittencourt—a thrilling second-half substitute—starting on the flank. Yunus Malli was very ineffectual against Serbia, but Hrubesch swears by him and stands very unlikely to drop him.
The 4-2-3-1 will remain, with Nico Schulz likely to start in place of the suspended Christian Gunter at left-back. The Joshua Kimmich-Emre Can midfield was far more effective than the variant involving Moritz Leitner, and that should stick too.
Denmark Preview
The Danes took a full 45 minutes to get going in the opener, but the football they played in the second half was scintillating at times. They suffered initially due to the Czech Republic's intensity and energy, but quality eventually won out.
Viktor Fischer had a rough game as a No. 9 and was withdrawn for Pione Sisto in the second half, who scored the winning goal and excited the onlooking fans. Yussuf Poulsen could play as a No. 9 this time, moving Fischer to the flank or allowing Sisto to start. For the latter, it's all about whether he's fit enough to do so.
Lasse Vigen Christensen was a marked upgrade in midfield after being forced on, and that could see him continue in the middle while namesake Andreas Christensen starts in central defence.
Jess Thorup must again weigh up the left-back battle of Riza Durmisi vs. Jonas Knudsen.
Where The Game Will Be Won
We're expecting an entirely different Germany side sans Philipp Hofmann, so this is a clean slate for Hrubesch and his men. With Volland up front and Bittencourt on the flank things should be a lot smoother, and Can settled into a box-to-box role superbly following Kimmich's introduction as the holder.
That spells trouble for the Danes, as die Deutsche were able to grind a point out of Serbia even when playing poorly and playing a man down. Thorup's men must start a lot quicker this time around; there's no room for fumbling and feeling your way into the game.
Vigen will introduce a measure of control to Denmark's midfield, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should have a better game. That will create an entertaining battle for control of the central zones, and it's impossible to call which way it goes.
If Bittencourt starts, he could be Hrubesch's ace in the hole; he's a difference-maker, and it's puzzling as to why he didn't start against Serbia.
Prediction
The battle for the middle will decide this match, and given the quality on show, it looks about even. It's such a tough call. Kimmich, Hojbjerg (Bayern Munich), Christensen (Chelsea), Can (Liverpool)—these are future world-class stars in the making.
Both sides played at about 50 percent in their opener, and both have much to offer, and several gears to move through. If Germany make the correct (illustrated) personnel moves, they can match Denmark; if they don't, they'll lose.
Germany 1-1 Denmark
