Group C of EURO 2024 opens with the match at 6pm, in which Slovenia and Denmark will face each other.
For Slovenia it is the second participation in the European Championships, after the experience which ended without victories at Euro2000. Matjaž Kek’s team will rely on its two greatest strengths during the competition, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and one of the most awaited youngsters, Leipzig striker Benjamin Šesko. Various interpreters of Italian football will have an important role on the Kek board: Bijol and Lovric of Udinese, Stojanovic and Mlakar respectively protagonists with Sampdoria and Pisa this season, Kurtic of Südtirol and finally the great return, that of Josip Ilicic.
However, Slovenia will face an opponent against whom they have never found victory: in six matches against the Danes there have been 5 defeats and 1 draw.
Denmark was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with only one point collected and a last place in a non-irresistible group which, in addition to France, featured Tunisia and Australia. at EURO 2020 things went very differently, the Danes managed to reach the semi-final and were then eliminated by England after extra time. Winner of EURO 1992, the national team coached by Kasper Hjulmand will be able to count on Christian Eriksen, back at full capacity after the terrible accident at EURO 2020, and on his Manchester United and ex-Atalanta teammate, Rasmus Højlund.
How Slovenia arrives
Kek should line up his team with the classic 4-4-2: Oblak in goal, in defense Karničnik will act on the right, Brekalo, Bijol in the center and Janza on the left; Stojanović right winger in midfield, the proven duo of Elsnik and Cerin in the middle of the field, the Pisa striker Mlakar on the left and in front Sporar and the untouchable Šeško should act.
How Denmark arrives
Kasper Hjulmand frequently varies the tactical structure of his team, but in this match he should choose the 3-5-2: Eriksen will act as a midfielder with former Lecce player Morten Hjulmand and Höjbjerg completing the midfield trio. On the two wings, Kristansen (playing for Bologna this season) on the right and Bah on the left. The defensive trio, however, should be made up of the ex-Sampdoria player Andersen, Christensen and Vestergaard ahead of the usual Schmeichel between the posts. Alongside Højlund in attack, Wind is expected.