FIFA World Cup 2018: Statistical Analysis Of Denmark

Denmark is one of the teams that are going under the radar as the days shorten for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Here is a detailed analysis of them.

World Cup History:

This is going to be the European nation’s fifth appearance in the World Cup. The best outcome they have ever achieved at this tournament is reaching the quarter-final stage in 1998. They followed that performance by a Round of 16 appearances in the subsequent World Cup in Japan-South Korea in 2002. After missing out on the 2006 edition in Germany, they suffered their worst outing in the competition by being eliminated from the group stage in 2010.

Analysis:

Denmark has got a youthful bunch of players who are doing well in the respective leagues they are playing in. They also have a lynchpin in Christian Eriksen who is regarded as one of the best-attacking midfielders in the world.

Denmark will be led by their Norwegian coach Age Hareide who took over the mantle of the team after the country failed to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. Under his tutelage, The Danes made their way to Russia after a comprehensively defeating Republic of Ireland in the playoffs. Since that game, Denmark hasn’t scored more than five goals in other matches.

The country is on the brink of being considered one of the better teams in the European continent. This is the perfect platform for the players to make their case that they belong in the elite group of players.

Meanwhile, with the likes of their captain Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen and Kasper Schmeichel, they have one of the most solid defences amongst 32 teams. That’s why it’s a no-brainer that their coach instils a controlled and risk-free style of philosophy in his players.

Furthermore, the team has Nicolai Jorgensen and Viktor Fischer to support Eriksen to carry the burden of creating chances and converting them into goals as well.

Denmark is clubbed in Group C with France, Peru and Australia.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Frederik Ronnow (Brondby), Jonas Lossl (Huddersfield).

Defenders: Simon Kjaer (Sevilla), Mathias Jorgensen (Huddersfield), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford), Jannik Vestergaard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich).

Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Lasse Schone (Ajax), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Deportivo La Coruna), Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen), William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Lukas Lerager (Bordeaux).

Forwards: Andreas Cornelius (Atalanta), Kasper Dolberg (Ajax), Martin Braithwaite (Middlesbrough), Nicolai Jorgensen (Feyenoord), Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo), Viktor Fischer (FC Copenhagen), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).

Denmark National Football Team. Photo Courtesy: Twitter

Probable Playing XI:

Schmeichel, Dalsgaard, Kjaer (C), Christensen, Larsen, Kvist, Delaney, Poulsen, Eriksen, Sisto, Jorgensen

Key Players:

Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer

ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2018: Statistical Analysis Of Peru

Interesting Tidbit:

Denmark won the European Championship in 1992 thanks to Peter Schmeichel who is one of the greatest goalkeepers ever. He also played a pivotal role in Manchester United treble-winning season.