Denmark’s national coach Kasper Hjulmand relies on the quality of his playmaker Christian Eriksen in the important World Cup preliminary round match against world champions France. “I would like to clone him. I would like to have him in the back of my own penalty area and in front of the other goal,” said the former Mainz 05 Bundesliga coach on Friday at his press conference before the second group game on Saturday (5 p.m. / ARD and MagentaTV).
“On my first day as national coach, I said the same thing as my predecessor Age Hareide and his predecessor Morten Olsen: Christian is the heart of this team,” Hjulmand continued. The 30-year-old Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest at last year’s European Championship 2020, but then continued his career with a pacemaker. In the summer, the midfielder was even signed by English record champions Manchester United.
The Danes beat reigning world champions France twice in the Nations League this year, but started the World Cup in Qatar much worse with their 0-0 win against Tunisia. France won 4-1 against Australia. Despite the many injured players, Hjulmand still thinks the French are one of the best teams in the world: “France have an unbelievable number of top players. The opportunities and talent available to the French are spectacular.”
World Cup 2022: The most valuable players per nation
Akram Afif | Qatar | Al Sadd SC | Market value: €4 million
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