Antonio Rudiger Overcomes Injury To Join Germany For Denmark Clash In Euro 2024

Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed Antonio Rudiger's availability for Germany's last-16 match against Denmark at Euro 2024. However, he remained tight-lipped about his plans for Niclas Fullkrug and Kai Havertz. Real Madrid defender Rudiger had a thigh strain during the final Group A game against Switzerland, which ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to Fullkrug's late header.

Nagelsmann faces a decision regarding his forward line after Fullkrug's impressive performances off the bench. Fullkrug has netted four goals in six major tournament appearances for Germany, all as a substitute. His minutes-per-goal ratio of 35 minutes is second only to Poland's Ernst Wilimowski among European players with at least 100 minutes played in World Cup and Euros.

"I'm not following the discussion at all," Nagelsmann stated regarding whether to start Havertz, Florian Wirtz, or Fullkrug. "We as the coaching team will decide who plays. I won't say anything before tomorrow."

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand acknowledged Germany as one of the favourites but expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "I said it before the tournament started that I consider Germany one of the favourites," Hjulmand said. "Just too bad they are playing us tomorrow! The quality they have, the way they express themselves in the first couple of matches, the talent they have—but so do we."

Germany is set to compete in their fifth consecutive knockout stages of the European Championship. Support is growing on home soil as they prepare to face pre-tournament favourites England and France.

Nagelsmann mentioned that Rudiger would be available after returning to team training. "If nothing else happens, he can play tomorrow," Nagelsmann said during Friday's pre-match press conference in Dortmund.

The last-minute heroics from Fullkrug secured Germany's top spot in Group A and set up their meeting with Denmark in the knockout stages on Saturday.

Denmark will need to be very good to beat Germany, according to Hjulmand. "We also have a great team," he added. "So they have to be very, very good tomorrow to beat us."

As anticipation builds for this crucial match, both teams are preparing intensely for what promises to be an exciting encounter.