Schmeichel’s run goes on: Five things learned as Denmark beat Wales 2-0 in Uefa Nations League

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Denmark put recent troubles behind them with a hardfought 2-0 win over Wales in their UEFA Nations League B meeting.

Christian Eriksen, the most important Danish footballer this decade, grabbed both goals. The first, a well-executed finish, and the second from the spot.

It means both sides are level on 3 points with the Republic of Ireland pointless in Group four.

With that being said, here are five things we learned from what turned out to be a closely matched encounter.

1. Eriksen’s importance understated

It goes without saying Christian Eriksen is Denmark’s sole world class player. The 26-year-old playmaker has, in the last two or three years, grown in stature at both club and international level.

His newfound status resulted in some of European football’s powerhouses sniffing around, however for the time being he’s content with life in north London as Spurs’ creator-in-chief, but that has always been the case for his national team.

Eriksen who made his senior Danish debut as a promising teenager has gone from being a great hope into the real deal, to say he’s important is an understatement, and the numbers back it up.

Denmark are more likely to score with him on the pitch; at least in 2018, of their last eight international goals he’s played a hand in six (scoring four of those himself). So, when he popped up to put the Danes in front, was anyone surprised?

2. Giggs has Wales starting to play his way

Early days but the Ryan Giggs Welsh regime looks promising. Results are paramount but he can take heart from their recent performances including this one.

Since inheriting the reigns from Chris Coleman earlier this year the former Manchester United winger has not only injected some youth but gradually started to get the Dragons to play in his image.

Having learned at the feet at Sir Alex Ferguson you can already work out how the Cardiff-born coach wants his charges to play: football on the front foot with intricate passing and quick movement.

For much of the game at Ceres Park in Aarhus they looked the more adventurous and sharp but a moment of magic from Eriksen ensured they wouldn’t be leaving with the spoils.

3. Sisto’s troubles continue

The day before a makeshift Danish visited Slovakia for an international friendly Celta Vigo winger Pione Sisto unwittingly arrived at Vienna airport expecting to find his teammates but quickly discovered they were in Copenhagen due to an ongoing contractual dispute with their Football Association (DBU).

If he thought his troubles were behind him then think again. The forward naturally began on the left wing against Wales, and would have relished going up against Chris Gunter, but it turned out differently.

Sisto, devastating when on song, had one of those games where nothing came off. Gunter and company had his number, though at times he didn’t help himself, whether failing to complete a dribble or producing a terrible first touch.

His manager Åge Hareide looking incredulous from the sidelines, after one of his said bad touches, summed up his day which lasted 45 minutes as he was subbed off at half-time for Viktor Fischer.

4. Kasper stands tall

Kasper Schmeichel celebrated his new contract with Leicester City by keeping yet another international clean sheet. It’s now 16 shutouts across 39 appearances for his national team.

Going a little further he’s yet to concede at home in 2018, in fact Schmeichel – son of the great Peter – has now gone 542 minutes without conceding a goal on home soil.

5. A learning experience for Ampadu

As mentioned above there’s a new Wales emerging under Giggs one that is laced with youthful exuberance. No one symbolises this movement than Ethan Ampadu who earned cap number four against the Danes.

The 17-year-old defender-cum-midfielder, who shone in Wales’ recent 4-1 humbling of Ireland, faced his sternest challenge to date.

It’s harsh to be hard on the teenager, who unfortunately gave away the penalty that sealed his team’s fate, and even the best find it tough against Eriksen but it’s experiences like this that will make him a better footballer.

The post Schmeichel’s run goes on: Five things learned as Denmark beat Wales 2-0 in Uefa Nations League appeared first on Squawka News.



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