England will try to make good use of home field advantage while Denmark will look to continue their run in Euro 2020.
The second semifinal of Euro 2020 is set to be a home game for England as they will take on Denmark at Wembley Stadium.
While England failed to impress at home during the group stage, they made up for it in their big win against Germany. With it being a home game and the 4-0 rout of Ukraine, the side managed by Gareth Southgate go into the game as favorites.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
On the other side stands Denmark. The story with Denmark ever since their opening match against England has revolved around Christian Eriksen and what happened to him on that day. But as they’ve shown, they are a legitimate good side.
England would be making a mistake to underestimate them and think that home field advantage will be more than enough to see England through.
"“They’re a very good team,” Southgate said. “We played them twice in the autumn and when we were preparing for that, we knew their record, we knew how difficult they’d been to beat, we knew that they’ve got some very good players – and I think they’re better now than they were then.”Source: UEFA"
England may have Harry Kane but Denmark has Kasper Dolberg who has scored three goals so far — as many as the Tottenham striker. England may be the consensus favorite but it’s not going to hamper the way Denmark prepare heading into the game.
"“Everyone in the camp has a lot of faith in the team. It’s outstanding what we’ve done over the past few weeks, and we must take that with us into the semi-final,” Dolberg said. “That belief that we can do it. Of course, we have to look at England and maybe also adapt a little, but we also need to play to our own strengths.”Source: UEFA"
There is reason for Denmark to be a bit optimistic. England have only won just one of their last six meetings with that win coming in the 2002 World Cup.
However, England have really come into this tournament and improved as it went along. The rout against Ukraine was their best performance and it seems like Kane has found his form again. Raheem Sterling continues to be a threat and Southgate’s tactics, while not popular, are working.
His style of play may be somewhat conservative but England has yet to give up a goal in five games. The defense, alongside midfielders Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, have been solid all tournament long.
Southgate’s embarrassment of riches on the bench is a clear advantage should he need someone to change the game if they go a goal down. It’s something that Denmark does not have.
Playing at home is also going to be a significant advantage to England. Even more so with a place in the final of Euro 2020 on the line.
"“If they can find another 50% [support], that would be some occasion, for sure,” Southgate said. “That would be great and it’s brilliant for us to have that support and that energy. In the end, the game will be decided on the pitch by good decision-making, a team playing well, a team defending well, a team attacking well.”Source: UEFA"
The winner of the match will book a spot in the final where they will meet either Spain or Italy. For Denmark, it could be the storybook ending of a cinderella run. For England, it could finally be coming home.