Germany Go Back to Basics with Simple, Brilliant Win over Denmark in U21 Euros

Germany got back to winning ways on Saturday at the U21 European Championships when they beat Denmark 3-0 at the Eden Arena in Prague. 

In a match that had initially been billed as a clash between two exceptional sides, we instead got a game that saw Denmark simply flounder against a German side that were simple and brilliant in their direct style of play. 

It was a match that the tournament favourites should have started with but ultimately one that finally has the Germans on course and up to speed with their desires for silverware this summer. 

German coach Horst Hrubesch was criticised for the manner in which he overcomplicated things in Germany's opening game against Serbia. Playmaker Moritz Leitner was thrown in midfield, Philipp Hofmann was tasked with playing as the lone striker and Germany simply looked puzzled whenever asked to attack their opponents. 

In this second test, the Bundestrainer opted for a far simpler 4-4-2, or 4-1-4-1 that clearly favoured the key players in his team. The impressive Joshua Kimmich was brought in to partner Emre Can in the middle of the pitch with Max Meyer playing just in front, while Leon Bittencourt and Amin Younes took up wide roles on the right and left respectively. 

In the modern, convoluted game that football has become, Hrubesch's decision to go back to basics was a refreshing one and something that simply allowed this young German side to flourish. Die Deutsche weren't going to bother with a false No.9 or sweeper in defence; it would be simple attacking football. 

Denmark did themselves very few favours from the get-go, when they opted to sit back and defend deep against a German side they clearly rated as favourites for the tie. An odd move from Jess Thorup when we consider how well Serbia did to keep Germany on the back foot with their constant pressing. 

If the opening game had taught us anything, it was that getting in Germany's face was perhaps the best way to put them off their game. Yet Denmark chose to ignore that and ultimately paid the price for it over the course of the 90 minutes.

This move simply facilitated Germany's plan of attack. With Bittencourt and Younes drafted in on the wings, Hrubesch was keen to streamline his side's play down both flanks and to get the ball driven in to the Danish box. 

Both players did that exceptionally well, with Younes in particular getting the better of right-back Alexander Scholz and central defender Andreas Christensen time and time again. A jink, a drop of the shoulder and a cross off the by-line sum up the Borussia Moenchengladbach forward's play well and were exactly what led to Germany's third goal of the game. 

Another change to the more simplistic approach was Hrubesch's decision to play Kevin Volland as the lone striker. The Hoffenheim forward is perhaps one of the most established players in the squad, with 28 Bundesliga goals already to his name, but he has often been favoured out on the wing where he plays for his club.

Yet with the ineffective Hofmann dropped to the wing, Germany looked far better with Volland leading the line. The 22-year-old starlet played the perfect game as his team's lone striker, showing just what he was capable of with a wonderful run and finish to score the first in the 32nd minute and an outstanding free-kick to double Germany's lead in the second half. 

It was this simple—if not obvious—tactical change that summed up the evening for Germany. This wasn't a side forged by the great minds of Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola; it was a simple 4-4-2 that got the very best out of what many would consider the best team at this summer's tournament. 

With Germany's embarrassment of riches at this level, Hrubesch's ability to make efficient use of the 11 men on the park was always going to be key to how the favourites went about this tournament.

They may have stumbled against Serbia because of that very reason, but on Saturday, Germany looked like a team ready to challenge for this competition.