If a settled squad is a happy squad, then Slovenia should go out for this Group C clash with Denmark – the same group as England and Serbia – without a care in the world.
By Ian King
Benjamin Šeško had been the subject of increasing transfer speculation during the build-up to Euro 2024, but just days before their kick-off against Denmark he signed a new contract with RB Leipzig which should keep the wolves from the door for now.
Slovenia start their tournament as rank outsiders, and the historical record isn’t too pretty. They’ve only played Denmark six times before. In June 2023, they drew 1-1 in their qualifying group for this competition. Denmark have won the other five, including the return fixture to the draw, 2-1. Prior to these meetings, they hadn’t met since 2008.
Should Šeško show the sort of form that he showed in the Bundesliga last season for Leipzig, Slovenia may even fancy their chances of overcoming Denmark. With 14 goals in just 17 starts and 14 substitute appearances last season, small wonder Arsenal and Chelsea were sniffing around. He also became the youngest player since Rudi Völler in 1982/83 to score in seven consecutive Bundesliga appearances and the second Leipzig player ever to do so, equalling a club record set by Timo Werner in 2019/20.
But Šeško won’t be the only young striker on the pitch on Sunday evening. Rasmus Højlund has already made his big move, and scored ten goals in thirty appearances for Manchester United last season. But he’s scored a goal every other game throughout his 14 appearances for Denmark and may be just as much of a threat to Slovenia as Šeško is to Denmark.
Denmark came within a whisker of reaching the final of the Euros just four years ago. They took the de facto hosts England to extra-time in the semi-finals and only lost to a rebound from a penalty which looked slightly suspect in the first place. Their performance at the last World Cup, however, didn’t match expectations. With just a single point from a goalless draw with Tunisia, they finished bottom of their group.
England’s recent friendly implosion against Iceland will also set them thinking. If the top seeds can find a way of tripping up, and the Iceland game suggested that for all their talents they could, then this group might even be up for grabs; all of which makes a strong start more important than ever.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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