DORTMUND, Germany: Striker choice an issue for Germany as Denmark await, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann faces tough decisions as his team, buoyed by topping their group and strong national support, prepares for a challenging last-16 encounter against Denmark. The Danish side, despite showing potential, has yet to fully ignite at Euro 2024.
From Berlin to Braunschweig, the question on every German fan’s lips is who will start up front on Saturday, with Kai Havertz being preferred for the three Group A games and Niclas Fuellkrug coming off the bench to deliver much-needed goals.
In a dramatic turn, Germany, trailing to Switzerland, salvaged a draw with a powerful stoppage-time header from Fuellkrug, clinching top spot in the standings.
For all his qualities, Havertz has not scored yet at the Euros, and against a Danish defence that ground its way to draws against England, Slovakia and Serbia, the power and physicality of Fuellkrug may prove the best option.
Some observers believe that Havertz and Fuellkrug could be deployed together.
“I can imagine Havertz playing one position further down (the pitch) he would be good as a false nine,” German World Cup winner Olaf Thon, who works as a pundit for German broadcaster Sport1, told Reuters.
Nagelsmann will also have to choose a replacement for centre back Jonathan Tah, who picked up his second yellow card of against the Swiss, the coach replacing him on the hour mark with Nico Schlotterbeck.
The Danes, who made the semi-finals of Euro 2020 where they lost to England after extra time, have been nothing like the swashbuckling team of that tournament, scoring two goals and conceding two in three draws.
