Group A: Denmark v Serbia preview
Monday, June 22, 2015
Article summary
Denmark coach Jess Thorup says his players' confidence is back after defeat by Germany as they turn their attention to a Serbia side eyeing defensive improvement.
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Article body
• Denmark take on Serbia at the Letná Stadium with destiny in their own hands
• Denmark looking to get out of group stage for first time at third attempt
• Denmark's Jonas Knudsen and Serbia's Darko Brašanac serving one-match bans
• Jess Thorup says his players have their confidence back after defeat by Germany
• Serbia coach Mladen Dodić reveals "internal meeting between players" since Saturday
• Denmark will be through with victory, while Serbia need to win and hope Germany defeat the Czech Republic in the other game in order to progress. The permutations explained in more detail.
Possible lineups
Denmark: Busk; Scholz, Vestergaard, Christensen, Durmisi; Jønsson, Christensen; Fischer, Højbjerg, Thomsen; Poulsen
• Out: Knudsen (suspended), Sørensen (hamstring)
Misses next match if booked: Poulsen, Vestergaard
Serbia: Dmitrović; Petković, Spajić, Pantić, Petrović; Ćaušić, Kovačević; Jojić, Djuričić, Milunović; Pešić
• Out: Brašanac (suspended)
• Misses next match if booked: Čaušić, Djuričić, Pantić
Jess Thorup, Denmark coach
We started pretty well in this tournament with the victory against the Czech Republic and we also started very well in the second game against Germany – we played very well in the first 30 minutes and we created chances but we weren't good enough at finishing them. We lost to a better team.
We have used the last couple of days to analyse the game and to look ahead to this one, the most important. We have been talking a lot about what went wrong but also what was good about the game – especially the start – and what we can take into the Serbia match. I think we all know we met a better team, especially in the last hour, but we have our confidence back as we know we have our destiny in our own hands. If someone had told me before the tournament that we would reach the semi-finals with a win in this game, that would have been fine with me.
Frederik Sørensen was with the physio and one of the assistant coaches for more than an hour this morning and while it was a very good session, he will not be ready for this match.
Mladen Dodić, Serbia coach
There will be a few changes; Darko Brašanac is suspended, but there will also be others made to refresh the team. We need to play at the same level as we did against Germany. Yes, we need to do better defensively, but let's not forget that victory is our aim because that's what we need if we are to have a chance of achieving our dream of reaching the next round.
[Matchday two] was a hard defeat for us all, not only the players. We've spoken a lot between ourselves and the players also had an internal meeting to discuss things. The next match is very important and will prove whether we really do play at the highest level even when our backs are against the wall. I have respect for the Danish team because they have real quality, but I am an optimist because I believe in my players – they are psychologically strong. I believe we won't repeat any of the mistakes we made against the Czech Republic.
Concentration will be the key in tomorrow's match. Both teams were on the floor after their second games, but now we have a great chance to see who is better and who can qualify for the semi-finals. My belief is that this is 50/50 so I expect the details to decide who will be the winner.
Form guide (including friendlies, most recent first)
Denmark: LWDWD
Serbia: LDWLW
Senior internationals in squad
Denmark: Pierre Højbjerg (7), Viktor Fischer (7), Yussuf Poulsen (5), Jannik Vestergaard (3), Uffe Bech (3), Jonas Knudsen (2), Andreas Christensen (2), Riza Durmisi (1), Nicolaj Thomsen (1), Rasmus Falk (1)
Serbia: Filip Djuričić (21), Miloš Jojić (5), Srdjan Mijailović (5)
Match fact
• These two teams met as recently as qualifying for the 2013 final tournament. Find out what happened and much more in our extensive match background.