Germany aim to ride host-nation buzz against Denmark at Euro 2024

Euro 2024 hosts Germany will play Denmark in the Round of 16 in Dortmund on Saturday. Both teams remained undefeated in the group stage, but Germany secured two wins while Denmark had three straight draws.

Germany haven't won any knockout game in a major international tournament since Euro 2016. Denmark achieved their second-best Euros result in 2021 as they went all the way to the semifinals. Both teams were eliminated by England in the last edition of the tournament – Germany in the Round of 16.

Germany's center-back Jonathan Tah won't appear in Saturday's game due to suspension. Nico Schlotterbeck may take his place. Moreover, if center-back Antonio Rudiger can't recover from his hamstring injury in time, Waldemar Anton may replace him to make his Euro 2024 debut.

Denmark will lack their midfielder Morten Hjulmand who was suspended with two yellow cards. Christian Eriksen and Thomas Delaney missed Friday's training session for "stomach issues" but Eriksen was expected to play against Germany.

"I have always been here as the away team and it felt like the match started 1-0 for Dortmund because the crowd is so loud. I hope we get a similar pressure coming from the stands for our opponent," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said who used to coach Bayern Munich before taking over the German national team.

"I really love football here in Germany. And playing against Germany there, with the Danish team, can't be better, I can't wait. It's a great team. But we are a great team as well. And when we play big nations we always step up," Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said.

Italy want to continue their dominance over Switzerland

As the reigning European champions, Italy will play Switzerland in the Round of 16 in Berlin on Saturday. Having made it out Group B with one win, one draw and one loss, Italy had to rely on a last-second goal against Croatia to secure their spot in the knockout stage.

Despite Italy's slow start at the tournament, Switzerland may be one of their favorite opponents since "the Azzuri" are unbeaten against "Rossocrociati" in the past 31 years and lost on only eight of their past 61 meetings.

However, Switzerland have not lost even one game in 2024 and they managed to hold Germany 1-1 in their final game in Group A.

Italy will lack Riccardo Calafiori due to suspension and Federico Dimarco because of injury. Alessandro Bastoni's availability is in question as well. Switzerland's Silvan Widmer has been suspended. Multiple teammates, including Granit Xhaka, are one card away from joining him.

"We know that we're up against very awkward customers in the shape of Switzerland," Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. "The results bear witness to that. So far in Euro 2024, there have been teams where no one gave them the chance to actually make it through to the knockout stage, whereas they have then made it through to the round of 16, and deservedly so."

"We've done our homework. We haven't just looked at these last three games, we've also studied Italy's previous matches before the tournament," Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said. "But we've always been struck by how Italy can mix things up in terms of personnel and shape. We're ready for Italy's alternatives. We're familiar with Italy."