England have the prospect to achieve a primary main closing since their 1966 World Cup triumph after they tackle Denmark at Wembley in Wednesday’s Euro 2020 semi-final, however they might want to banish a historical past of stumbling at this stage.
Gareth Southgate’s facet have been spectacular of their 4-0 dismantling of Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, heralding a wave of euphoria within the nation as media showered the staff in reward.
England followers want no reminder, nonetheless, that their staff have misplaced 4 main semi-finals since Alf Ramsey’s staff’s title.
Southgate has been eager to maintain the burden of historical past out of his staff’s considering. If he wants a technique to convey his gamers again all the way down to earth earlier than the semi-final, he doesn’t need to look again far for a warning in opposition to complacency.
An England facet containing ten of the present squad confronted Denmark at Wembley in October in a Nations League match and misplaced 1-0 to a Christian Eriksen penalty.
Eriksen, who’s recovering from the stunning cardiac episode he suffered as he collapsed in Denmark’s opening Euro recreation, won’t function at Wembley in fact.
But Kasper Hjulmand’s facet, who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 of their quarter-final, will probably be largely the identical because the one which left London with three factors eight months in the past.
The classes from that recreation are restricted by the truth that England performed virtually an hour with ten males after Harry Maguire was despatched off within the thirty first minute – however that in itself is a reminder of the best way a second of indiscipline can swing a recreation.
Maguire seems to be rock stable for the time being as a part of an England defence which has but to concede a purpose within the match.
And with Harry Kane again to scoring kind with three objectives within the two knockout stage video games, England look to be peaking on the proper second.
ERIKSEN FACTOR
There was, nonetheless, an identical feeling amongst England followers after they beat Sweden within the final eight of the World Cup three years in the past in Russia solely to fall to Croatia within the semi.
“Now we’ve replicated what we did there, but that won’t be enough to fulfil the group,” mentioned Southgate, who is aware of that the nationwide temper would change sharply if his staff stumble on the similar stage this time.
Denmark’s performances on this match, the place they’ve responded to the Eriksen trauma in such inspiring vogue, also needs to hold England centered.
The Danes received out of Group B with a rousing 4-1 win over Russia in Copenhagen earlier than thrashing Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam.
In the quarter-final they beat a well-organised Czech facet 2-1 within the warmth of Baku.
Much of the concentrate on Denmark has been on the best way the staff has come collectively and fought so effectively after the stunning scenes in opposition to Finland, with Southgate noting they’re “riding a wave of emotion”, however they’ve been far more than battlers.
Hjulmand’s staff have a transparent construction and methodology to their play which has earned them their place within the final 4.
In assault, Martin Braithwaite creates the areas which Mikkel Damsgaard and Kasper Dolberg have exploited effectively and there’s a risk from attacking wing backs Jens Stryger Larsen and the wonderful Joakim Maehle.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney are a agency presence within the centre of midfield whereas the again line in entrance of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been stable.
Unbeaten England although begin as clear favourites with a stronger squad and residential benefit and the worry that has gripped them in earlier campaigns refreshingly absent to this point.
Spain or Italy, who play in Tuesday’s different semi, await the winner in Sunday’s closing at Wembley.
