Germany take on Denmark with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. - © DFL
Germany take on Denmark with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. - © DFL
Tournament hosts Germany will be forced into at least one defensive change when they face Denmark in their UEFA Euro 2024 last-16 tie in Dortmund on Saturday (kick-off: 9pm CEST).
- Find out all about Euro 2024 in Germany!
- Euro 2024 city guide: Dortmund
- Discover the 10 host venues
- Read our 5 reasons why Germany will win the Euros
- See what kits Germany are wearing this summer
- What is the Euro 2024 trophy?
- Follow Euro 2024 in the Bundesliga app!
Click here for the Germany vs. Denmark LIVE blog!
Germany advanced to the round of 16 after collecing two wins and a draw from their three group games, which was enough to see them top Group A and set up a meeting with the second-placed side from Group C. Julian Nagelsmann's side have been impressive from the get-go, scoring eight times and conceding just twice on route to reaching the knockouts. The former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich boss has kept things consistent in terms of his team selection, naming an unchanged XI across the first three fixtures. Nagelsmann's hand is now forced, however, with the suspension of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah. In his place, Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to start, and Nagelsmann may well have to change both central defenders if Antonio Rüdiger doesn't return from a thigh problem. If that's the case,VfB Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton will also step into the heart of defence. Elsewhere, Niclas Füllkrug is pushing for a starting berth after his two goals off the bench in the groups and could start on home soil at BVB's Signal Iduna Park, ahead of Kai Havertz.
Denmark finished as runners-up in Group C, despite not collecting a victory in three attempts, and they too have to make an enforced change due to suspension. Central midfielder Morten Hjulmand is the man who has to miss out after collecting two yellow cards, with ex-Werder Bremen, Dortmund and Hoffenheim enforcer Thomas Delaney expected to start. Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand - once of Mainz - has made changes so far, but they have been limited to tweaks at full-back. The versatile trio of Alexander Bah, Victor Kristiansen and Wolfsburg's Joakim Mæhle have each started twice in the wide slots and are again vying for places in the starting XI. Mæhle got the nod in the last two group games and should be named from the off either on the right or left, depending on who Hjulmand goes with on the opposite flank. Mæhle's clubmate Jonas Wind is expected to continue in attack, which means Leipzig'sYussuf Poulsen will again play a role from the bench.
Watch:The best of Niclas Füllkrug
Match stats
- Both teams are unbeaten after three group games. Spain, Switzerland, England, Slovenia and France also advanced without loss.
- Füllkrug has now scored four times from the bench at finals, making him Germany's record substitute scorer in major tournaments.
- Manuel Neuer (18) has made more appearances at the European Championship than any other goalkeeper in history. One more outing will see Neuer pass Bastian Schweinsteiger as Germany's record-appearance maker at the Euros.
- These two nations have met three times previously at the Euros, with Germany winning 2-0 inGelsenkirchen when the tournament was last held in the country back in 1988. Four years later, a reverse in the final saw the Danes claim the trophy for the only time. Germany won the most recent meeting in the competition, a 2-1 victory in 2012.
- Neuer was part of that Germany team back in 2012, so too were Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and İlkay Gündoğan.
Probable teams
Germany: Neuer - Kimmich, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstädt - Andrich, Kroos - Musiala, Gündoğan (c), Wirtz - Füllkrug
Doubtful: Rüdiger (thigh)
Out: Ginter (Achilles), Gnabry (hamstring), Pavlović (tonsilitis), Tah (suspended)
Rest of squad:Baumann, Beier, Can, Führich, Groß, Havertz, Henrichs, Koch, Müller, Raum, Sané, Ter Stegen, Undav
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Denmark:Schmeichel (c) - Andersen, Vestergaard, Christensen - Bah, Delaney, Højbjerg, Mæhle - Eriksen - Wind, Højlund
Doubtful:-
Out:Hjulmand (suspended)
Rest of squad: Bruun Larsen, Damsgaard, Dolberg, Dreyer, Hermansen, Jensen, Jørgensen, Kjær, Kristensen, Kristiansen, Nørgaard,Poulsen, Rønnow, Skov Olsen
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
