European Championship 2020 Qualifier Group D: Denmark v Republic of Ireland (tonight, Telia Parken, 7.45pm Irish time)
SEAMUS Coleman says some Danish jibes may motivate the Republic of Ireland players ahead of tonight’s Euro 2020 Qualifier in Copenhagen.
Both countries clashed in the 2018 World Cup play-offs and twice in the Nations League over the last 19 months with three ending scoreless and the other, the one that mattered, finishing 5-1 in favour of Denmark who went on to play in the 2018 World Cup finals at the Republic’s expense.
In the aftermath of some of those meetings the Danish players didn’t spare their opponents. Playmaker Christian Eriksen insisted the Irish were “afraid” to attack, while central midfielder Thomas Delaney said they were the “most annoying” team to play against.
After the first leg of their World Cup play-off meeting Delaney commented that trying to beat the Irish was like trying to open a can of beans with your bare hands.
Now under new management, the Ireland captain wasn’t in the business of exchanging insults with their hosts at last night’s press conference.
“It wouldn’t be my thing to come out and speak bad of other players, definitely not,” said the Donegal man.
“If that’s their way of doing it, if that’s their tactic, it can be a great motivation for the boys if that’s the case.
“But for other lads it’s just a game tomorrow night, you are playing for your country, you are pulling on the green jersey.
“Regardless of who you are playing, there is massive pride in wearing that jersey. You have got people back home watching, you’ve got fans coming over to watch and we are more worried about impressing them than impressing Denmark players.”
Mick McCarthy got his second stint as Republic of Ireland manager off to a dream start, banking two 1-0 wins over Gibraltar and Georgia at the end of March.
And there is likely to be little change in terms of approach or personnel with the new manager staying loyal to the side that impressed in their home victory over Georgia.
“With the two games we had, we have to have a lot of confidence in ourselves,” said Coleman, who is expected to win his 52nd cap in Copenhagen tonight.
“I thought the way we played against Georgia at times was brilliant, that's what you want to do, it gives the lads confidence going into this game and if we can start this game well and put them under pressure it will be great.”
While all eyes will be fixed on Christian Eriksen – who wants to leave Champions League finalists Spurs for Real Madrid or PSG – McCarthy highlighted the threats of Delaney and towering striker Yussuf Poulsen.
“Delaney gets them playing and somebody has to give him [Eriksen] the ball as well,” noted the Ireland manager. “If he's playing in behind the striker I'm not so sure he wants to go looking for it.
“If he can get it in the right areas, he's a real problem. We have to deal with Poulsen coming in at the far post as well, he's a real threat as well, six-foot-plus, getting crosses in and big [Nicolai] Jorgensen up front.
“He's a powerful guy, they are just a good team.”
