Denmark-France is a match for the sixth Nations League fixture and is scheduled for Sunday at 20:45
DENMARK-FRANCE
France took a big risk. Thursday’s victory in Saint-Denis against Austria – Mbappé and Giroud were decisive with their goals – was crucial in avoiding a humiliating relegation to the Nations League lower division, the same fate that befell another top national team like England yesterday. Finishing bottom of the table would be even more sensational for the transalpines, who left to defend the title they won in 2021. However, first place is gone and second place is also unattainable. All that remains for Didier Deschamps’ Bleus to do is to secure ‘salvation’, warding off a possible overtaking by the Austrians, who are simultaneously engaged against Croatia. In short, there is still no time to be distracted: the danger of relegation, with last place just a length away, is quite concrete.
In Copenhagen, however, the reigning world champions find a Denmark side forced to win after being ousted by Croatia this week. The Scandinavians’ second defeat in the group stage – beaten in both cases by Modric and his team-mates – is certainly the one that hurts the most: they are now no longer masters of their own destiny, but will be forced to tune in to Vienna and hope for a positive result from Austria. The national team led by Kasper Hjulmand, the great revelation of the last European Championships, in the meantime already knows how to beat France: in June they defeated the Stade de France in a comeback thanks to a double by the former Parma and Atalanta centre-forward Cornelius. Dolberg should lead the attack this time, while on the other side Deschamps has to cope with Maignan’s injury: in his place Lafont, seen in action in Italy with Fiorentina.
The Prediction
The World Cup is approaching and Deschamps is looking for certainty. The Parken is usually a stadium that is not easy to conquer, but against Austria France gave an excellent response and appears slightly favoured over the Danes. In any case, a draw is a result that no one really needs, given the standings, so it will be a lively match – it could flare up in the second half – in which both sides are likely to score.
Denmark-France: the likely line-up
- DENMARK (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kjaer; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Eriksen, Damsgaard; Dolberg.
- FRANCE (3-4-1-2): Lafont; Saliba, Varane, Badiashile; Clauss, Fofana, Tchouaméni, Mendy; Griezmann; Mbappé, Giroud.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
