England can qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with victory over Denmark but Gareth Southgate is not underestimating the opponents his side beat in the semi-finals three years ago
Gareth Southgate is set to pick an unchanged team to face Denmark as they look to clinch their place in the knockout rounds.
Southgate is ready to keep faith with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield while the rest of the starting XI has been given a clean bill of health. Kieran Trippier, set to win his 50th cap, did suffer from cramp against Serbia but trained ahead of the Denmark game while everyone else has declared themselves fit.
Southgate admitted after Serbia that the team needs to improve and they will have to play their way into form to go deep into the Euros. Three Lions boss Southgate has also insisted that, despite the lack of experience in the squad, there is depth and competition for places as Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen both played roles as substitutes against Serbia.
Southgate said: “The guys backing up the XI does not have as many caps as we might have had in the past but as we saw with Gallagher and Bowen, there are players that are ready to come in and have an impact immediately.
“There are others that are training really well that we wouldn’t hesitate to put into the game. So we need that internal competition. The players that are starting need to feel that.
“We are happy with the balance of the squad and also the way the energy and the attitude to training is excellent so we are very happy with the way they are working as a group at the moment.”
Southgate also paid a “heartwarming” tribute to Denmark star Christian Eriksen. Manchester United midfielder Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the Euros three years ago and his fight back to fitness has been an incredible football story.
But Southgate also says that he is now playing at a high level and will be a major threat to England in Frankfurt on Thursday night. England boss Southgate said: “He is a top quality player and he is probably going to be playing a little bit higher than the types of players that dictate the whole tempo of a game.
“But you know that the quality of his passing, his ability to score goals, the quality of his set plays is exceptional, absolutely exceptional. It is a real strength for Denmark. He is a player I have huge admiration for.
“On a human level, I am delighted to see him back playing. We were watching that game three years ago and it is really heartwarming to see him come back and score.
“It was almost written but it is only written if you have the mentality and the desire to get back and play, and play at the level he has.”
England’s expected lineup: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
Denmark: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Wind, Hojlund
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