90min
·29 June 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·29 June 2024
The iconic Signal Iduna Park is a fitting venue for the hosts' round of 16 tie at Euro 2024, with Germany taking on Denmark on Saturday night.
The Germans have certainly been swept up by Euros fever, and their journey continues against the Danes having just about topped Group A. Niclas Fullkrug's late header ensured Germany picked up a point against Switzerland on Matchday 3 with the Swiss threatening to snatch top spot away from the hosts' grasp.
Thus, instead of facing the holders Italy in the round of 16, Germany face a functional and limited Danish outfit with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Nagelsmann has concerns at the heart of his defence / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
GK: Manuel Neuer - There was no clean sheet to round off the group stages for Neuer, who was smartly beaten by Switzerland's Dan Ndoye at the front post. The great German goalkeeper will have to find his best form throughout the knockout stages.
RB: Joshua Kimmich - Full-backs are key in Nagelsmann's system, although Kimmich has been fairly quiet since opening night. His status in the team isn't in doubt, however.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger is said to be struggling with a hamstring complaint, but the bonkers German defender will play even if he's not 100%.
CB: Nico Schlotterbeck - While there are doubts over Rudiger, Jonathan Tah is certainly missing Saturday's game through suspension. Schlotterbeck hasn't often shown his best form for the national team, but he's going to get a chance here.
LB: Maximilian Mittelstadt - The Stuttgart full-back has started the tournament superbly, although it was his replacement, David Raum, who teed up Fullkrug's equaliser on Matchday 3. Mittelstadt is also walking a suspension tightrope having already picked up a yellow card.
CM: Robert Andrich - Andrich continues to operate in front of Germany's defence while his midfield partner picks up his favourite zones on the left side of the backline. Andrich has enjoyed a steady Euro 2024 to date, and he had a goal ruled out against Switzerland.
CM: Toni Kroos - The Swiss did a fine job of limiting Kroos' influence last time out, and there's no doubt the wily Danes will adopt a similar ploy.
RW: Jamal Musiala - Musiala, for now, is joint-top of the scoring charts despite drawing a blank on Matchday 3. Germany are set to face up against a diligent and compact Danish block on Saturday, and the Bayern Munich star may be the man to pick the lock.
AM: Ilkay Gundogan - The wily veteran has been so hard to contain this summer. Gundogan's movement off the ball has been superb, and he's crucial to Germany's success in and around the box. He's a shoo-in for Saturday.
LW: Florian Wirtz - After starting Euro 2024 in fine fettle, Wirtz's group stage faded considerably and there are some questions as to whether Leroy Sane, who can stretch the pitch, should come into the team. Nagelsmann, however, will likely stick with his between-the-lines creator.
ST: Kai Havertz - Fullkrug is doing all he can to work his way into the starting XI, and many believe the brutish forward is deserving of a start given how Havertz concluded the group stage. However, the Arsenal man will likely get the benefit of the doubt from his manager with Fullkrug set to remain an impact sub.