Germany will be looking to claim their first win of this summer’s European Under-21 Championship on Saturday as they face Denmark, who already have three points on the board after the first round of fixtures.
The Germans stuttered in their Group A opener against Serbia on Wednesday evening, which saw them held to a 1-1 draw after Liverpool’s Emre Can equalised with a brilliantly composed finish from the edge of the box just moments after Denmark had taken an early lead.
There has been a lot of pressure put on Germany coming into the tournament, following their complete capitulation in 2013 which saw them fail to qualify from the group stages. This, paired with the relatively recent and contrasting high of the triumph in 2009 has been difficult for many Germans to comprehend.
Denmark will be looking to build on their opening fixture and put themselves in an excellent position ahead of the final group game against Serbia by claiming all three points, with even a draw leaving them in a strong position to qualify from the group.
The Danes have come into the tournament with a reputation of playing attractive, attacking football but it took goals from two crosses which followed set-pieces to break through the Czech Republic defence after they fell behind to the hosts.
Denmark will have taken some encouragement from seeing the way in which the German defence fell apart to allow Serbia to take the lead on Wednesday, and will no doubt be looking to exploit the apparent frailties that could prove fatal to the side many tip as favourites for the tournament.
Germany will be without Christian Gunter after the 22-year-old received a second yellow card for simulation in the match against Serbia.
Denmark will have a full selection of players at their disposal as they look to continue their strong start to the championship.
Form Guide: Germany (D-L-D-D-W-W) Denmark (W-W-W-D-D-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Germany: Ter Stegen; Korb, Ginter, Knoche, Schulz; Leitner, Can; Volland, Meyer, Younes; Hoffman.
Denmark: Jensen; Scholz, Sorensen, Vestergaard, Knudsen; Christensen, Hojbjerg, Norgaard, Thomsen, Sisto; Poulsen.
