Coping in Copenhagen: The in-form Danes Ireland must contain


Martin O’Neill takes his Republic of Ireland side to Copenhagen on Saturday with the familiar billing of being the underdogs in Copenhagen.

It’s fair to say the Boys in Green won’t mind that one bit, though this weekend’s visitors need certainly be wary of a number of Denmark players that have enjoyed strong seasons with club and or country thus far.

Age Hareide’s side had seemed in real trouble in qualifying after defeats to Montenegro and Poland in their first three matches in Group E but went unbeaten in the seven games that followed and are certainly an improving nation once again.

Since those early losses, Denmark have adopted a more direct approach but still been able to get the most out of their creative talents, chiefly Christian Eriksen.

 


The Tottenham playmaker has scored 8 goals in his last 8 competitive appearances for the national team and will no doubt be identified as the hosts main threat by O’Neill. As such, suspension to David Meyler, who was at his best as Ireland won in Wales to book a place in the play-offs, comes as a significant blow.

With James McCarthy sidelined and Jeff Hendrick a doubt for the first leg, whomever does start in the middle ground for the visitors will need to be at their very best.

So too will the Ireland rearguard, who played such a pivotal role in their progress to this point. Cyrus Christie has stepped up in the absence of Seamus Coleman in impressive fashion but it’s fair to say the Boro right-back may have a busy night on his hands.

The 25-year-old is likely to come head-to-head with the exciting Pione Sisto, who has enjoyed a superb start to the season with Celta Vigo.

The 22-year-old winger showed glimpses of his real quality in his debut season in Spain but is now very much a first team regular and more than deserving of as much. In fact, he’s had a direct hand in ten goals in La Liga in just 11 appearances, which is a feat only Lionel Messi can better.

 


Even the mercurial Argentine can’t match Sisto’s return of seven assists though, which is a tally that only David Silva can match across Europe’s top five leagues, so the away side certainly can’t afford to focus all of their attention on the aforementioned Eriksen.

Then, of course, comes the Lord, and Denmark’s saviour in waiting, Nicklas Bendtner. Back in the international fold after an excellent season in Norway, firing Rosenborg to the Eliteserien title, the former Arsenal striker is a real handful on his day and one that the likes of Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark can’t afford to underestimate.

 

 

Coping in Copenhagen: The in-form Danes Ireland must contain

 

With 18 league goals this season in 27 appearances - a Norwegian top-flight high - the 29-year-old is keeping the likes of Kasper Dolberg and Nicolai Jorgensen out of Hariede’s side, further highlighting the strength in depth that Martin O’Neill could only dream of.

What the Ireland boss at his disposal, however, is a squad with the commitment and organisation that can make them a nightmare for technically superior sides. If they can stay in the tie ahead of a return to Dublin, the fans will remain confident of another upset.

 

Full match preview, with probable lineups and prediction

Coping in Copenhagen: The in-form Danes Ireland must contain