UEFA Nations League: Stakes are High for Denmark and France

Denmark vs France

UEFA Nations League Group A1 is set to come to a thrilling climax on Sunday and the Telia Parken in Copenhagen is the place where the reigning champions might just get relegated.

France, winners of the 2021 competition, are sitting in third place having just picked up their first win of the campaign, against Austria, and they are only one point off the bottom. Meanwhile, opponents Denmark lost 2-1away to Croatia, a result which meant they handed top spot to the Croats. 

France could still get relegated should Austria beat Croatia and that certainly isn’t out of the question, while that result would give Denmark the opportunity to retake top spot should they avoid defeat at home to Les Bleus.

There’s a lot riding on this one and both teams need a boost before they head to the Qatar World Cup…this is not a game to lose.      

Talking Points

Eriksen so crucial for Denmark

On the back of a disappointing trip to Croatia, an encounter with Nations League and World Champions France is hardly a walk in the park, and it’s becoming increasingly clear how important Manchester United creative midfielder Christian Eriksen is to Kasper Hjulmand’s side. The Danes were strangely sloppy in their defeat to Croatia and that’s a trait we don’t associate with Denmark. Equally we expect them to be bright in attack and the return of talisman Christian Eriksen has at least strengthened that aspect of their play.

Against Croatia he was the biggest threat and he was the first to fire in a shot on goal, on 39 minutes. And when his team was a goal down with 15 minutes to play he scored with a brilliant dipping shot, only to see Croatia fight back again to win the game.

With a centre back pairing of skipper Simon Kjaer and Andrea Christensen the Danes have a strong rearguard but it will be seriously tested against the prolific French attack and Pierre Emile-Hjolberg, who sits just in front of the back four or in the centre of midfield, has a big role to play.

Giroud homes in on France record

With an attacking armoury of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema normally in his group (Benzema is injured), France head coach Didier Deschamps has three of the best in the business, but Les Bleus have a current striker who has scored more than each of them. AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud has bagged 49 goals, compared to Griezmann’s 42 and Benzema’s 37. And now the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is just two short of Thierry Henry’s all time record.

Their UEFA Nations League 2022 results have been poor but Les Bleus clash with Austria was an opportunity to banish the memory of a disastrous opening four games, and so they did. Giroud scored his 49^th when he got on the end of a beautiful cross from Griezmann and that sealed the long awaited win after Mbappe had broken the deadlock soon after half time.

Deschamps gave opportunities to some young players against Austria, including Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni (22) and Eduardo Camavinga (19), and both showed up well, but Tchouameni was particularly impressive and he had a spectacular overhead kick cleared off the line.

There was also an appearance for Arsenal’s 21 year old centre back William Saliba when he came on for the injured Jules Kounde who may join Benzema, Paul Pogba and Hugo Lloris on the injury list. 

History

In terms of recent form Denmark have won four and lost two of the last six, scoring ten goals and conceding five. Over the same period France have won two, drawn two and lost two with an identical goal record of ten to five. But it’s worth noting that five of those goals came in a 5-0 drubbing of South Africa in a friendly, so Les Blues record over the last five games is five scored and five conceded.

One of those matches was Denmark’s 2-1 win at the Stade de France in June when Andreas Cornelius scored a brace while Benzema netted for France.

The last time France beat Denmark was in a friendly in 2015 when Giroud was on target along with Alexandre Lacazette.       

Betting Tip

At the start of this competition the UEFA Nations League 2022 betting odds backed France to retain their title but now it’s all about survival.

At a SBOTOP price of 2.15 Les Bleus are the favourites to win this game with their hosts at 3.85. But the win over Austria followed a run of poor performances and I think this may be a draw. Les Blues might just have to hope Austria don’t beat Croatia!

 

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