London: Gareth Southgate’s England are just a win shy of reaching their first major tournament final in over five decades as they take on Denmark in the Euro 2020 semifinals at Wembley on Wednesday. If England win against Denmark, it will also be the Three Lions’ first final appearance under Southgate.
The last time England won a major tournament was the 1966 World Cup and if everything goes according to the plan, Harry Kane and Co. will face Roberto Mancini’s Italy in the summit clash. The best result for England under Southgate came in the 2018 World Cup reaching the semis.
England had quite a steady start to the tournament and reached the semifinals, eliminating the likes of Germany and Austria on their way. The Three Lions have won only once out of their last six encounters against Denmark and would look forward in redeeming the tally as they play their third European Championship semifinal. The Danes play their fourth.
Although Jadon Sancho’s performance in the last match turned heads, Southgate will probably feature Bukayo Saka along with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips in the midfield. The frontline will be aligned with Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw will be forming the back four as usual as Jordan Pickford guard the post.
On the other hand, Denmark had the worst start to the campaign one could think about. With Christian Eriksen collapsing on the field in their tournament opener, the traumatized Danes lost their first two matches, but picked it up from there and established themselves as a one of the heavyweights eliminating Wales and the Czech Republic.
Daniel Wass seems to be fit enough to start along with Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Højbjerb. Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg and Martin Braithwaite could form the front line while Simon Kjær, Andreas Christensen, Jannik Vastergaard and Jens Stryger Larsen align before custodian Kasper Schmeichel in an effort to keep the indomitable English attack at bay.
