World Soccer

Difficult to break down

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Head coach Kasper Hjulmand has been pragmatic with his tactics, using a more defensive 4-3-3 system against stronger opponents and a bolder 3-4-1-2 for matches in which Denmark expect to take the initiative. It served him well during the Nations League campaign and seems unlikely to change for the tournament.

It helps that the starting team is very settled, and full-backs Daniel Wass and Joakim Maehle can operate with equal effectiven­ess as wing-backs. The key to their more adventurou­s formation is the position of Christian Eriksen, who plays in the hole behind the two strikers. In the 4-3-3 model, he reverts to central midfield alongside Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The pair provide the foundation along with Simon Kjaer and Andreas Christense­n. It is that solidity which makes Denmark formidable.

The problem for Hjulmand is twofold: deciding on the main striker - the one position completely up for grabs - and on the back-up players. It could mean a chance for forward Marcus Ingvartsen, enjoying a breakthrou­gh year at Union Berlin, and for centre-back Joachim Andersen, thriving on loan at Fulham.

 ??  ?? Impact…Mikkel Damsgaard is fighting for a starting place
Impact…Mikkel Damsgaard is fighting for a starting place
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 ??  ?? Solid duo…Thomas Delaney (left) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (right) are everpresen­ts in midfield
Solid duo…Thomas Delaney (left) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (right) are everpresen­ts in midfield

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