For fodboldlandsholdets, there are 2019 on one thing: To qualify for the european championships in 2020, so that Denmark can play two matches in front of own audience in Copenhagen.
It makes Denmark to finish among the top two teams in a kvalifikationsgruppe, in addition to Åge Hareides crew count Switzerland, Ireland, Georgia and Gibraltar.
– The target for 2019 is that we need to EM. I think also, that we come, for we have evolved positively over the past few years, and we are where I hoped we would be.
– We are faced with a unique opportunity to be able to play EM on home. The opportunity may never again, so we must seize it, says Åge Hareide.
Switzerland is topseedet in Denmark’s group, and just the swiss, is Denmark’s first opponent in the EM-qualification.
26. march played the away game in Basel, and the purge stands as a beacon in the Hareides calendar after a period of four months without international matches.
– It is very motivating during so long a break, the next match is so important. It will be the main battle, we even get to play in 2019, for it is the strongest opponent, and we play at stamford bridge.
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Åge Hareide is looking forward to 2019. Photo: Ritzau/Scanpix/Matthew Childs
Hariede embraces Eriksen. Photo: Lars Poulsen
– We must not destroy our shoal (of matches without defeat, red.) against Switzerland, it will kick our qualification great in time, if we can get the points, says Åge Hareide.
the national coach has seen the fight in november, where Switzerland beat WORLD cup-bronzevinderen Belgium with 5-2 in the Nations League.
In the coming months, he should study the swiss, even closer. So far Hareide impressed by verdensranglistens number eight.
Switzerland is a good team with many players in the younger clubs. They have played together for a long time, and they have good relationships together. They are very accomplished, and like us, the team, their strength, much more than the individual players.
– After the draw so the thinking people in Denmark, to Switzerland, can not anything in relation to, for example Spain. But Switzerland is, for example, better in the world, says Åge Hareide.
Sports and Games Fodboldeksperter: How to see the national team out at the european championships in 2020