Denmark is targeting qualification for its third consecutive World Cup when it takes on Czechia in Tuesday‘s playoff final.
The Danes were Euro 2020 semifinalists under Kasper Hjulmand but suffered a premature exit in Qatar. Brian Riemer has led them since the most recent European Championships. They were expected to qualify automatically for this summer’s tournament, but were instead pipped to top spot in their qualifying group by Scotland.
Denmark had to settle for a place in the playoffs as a result, and it made light work of North Macedonia on Thursday night, cruising to a 4–0 win.
Czechia’s Road to the Playoff Final
Czechia, on the contrary, fought to the last to bypass the Republic of Ireland, having fallen 2–0 behind in the first half. A quick halving of an early deficit was important to igniting a comeback, which was completed on penalties.
Czechia is two-time World Cup runners-up, but it hasn’t qualified for this tournament since 2006, the year it rose to second in FIFA’s world rankings.
Despite finishing comfortably behind Croatia in their qualifying group, the Czechs fought off an impressive campaign from the Faroe Islands to finish second and reach the playoffs.
The Challenge in Prague
Denmark was excellent in its semifinal against rather tame opposition, and there’s simply no way Tuesday’s final will be such a procession.
The visitors have the stronger squad on paper, boasting a well-balanced midfeld, dynamic fullbacks and enough firepower in attack to trouble stout defenses, but Czechia is a stubborn force who are tough to beat on home soil.
It went unbeaten at home during qualifying, holding group winners Croatia to a goalless stalemate. There’s a distinct determination within the Czechia camp to qualify for this summer’s tournament, given that it’s been 20 years since their previous appearance. However, the hosts will have to overcome the odds to do so.
Possible Lineup Changes for Czechia
Manager Miroslav Koubek would be wise to make some alterations to the team that started on Thursday night, given their early setbacks and just how much their eventual victory would’ve taken out of them.
West Ham United’s Tomas Souček is among those who could come into the starting lineup, having helped turn the tide in the semifinal. Souček’s set-piece threat can’t be overlooked on nights like these.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick led Czechia’s scoring charts in qualifying, finding the back of the net five times, and he’s a shoo-in to start up top for the hosts against Denmark. However, he’ll be ably supported in attack by Pavel Šulc, who’s having a fine season in Ligue 1 with Lyon.
- Predicted Czechia lineup vs. Denmark (3-4-2-1): Kovář; Chaloupek, Hranáč, Krejčí; Coufal, Souček, Darida, Sadílek; Provod, Šulc; Schick.
Denmark’s Injury Concerns
Denmark is without Patrick Dorgu this month because of the hamstring injury he sustained during Manchester United‘s dramatic 3–2 victory over Arsenal in February.
In Dorgu’s absence, Wolfsburg’s Joakim Mæhle will likely continue at left back.