Ian Wright and Roy Keane criticized Manchester United striker Ramus Hojlund’s performance as Denmark was eliminated from Euro 2024 following a defeat to Germany.
Germany, the tournament hosts, secured a 2-0 victory in Dortmund on Saturday night. The match was temporarily halted in the first half due to a severe thunderstorm.
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Denmark exited the competition without Hojlund scoring any goals.
Before the storm interruption, Denmark had two significant chances to take the lead, both involving Hojlund.
Nico Schlotterbeck was slow to clear the ball inside his own box, allowing Hojlund to steal possession. Instead of shooting across the goal, Hojlund aimed for the near post and missed, hitting the side netting.
After play resumed, Hojlund had another chance, going one-on-one with German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. He tried to chip the ball over Neuer, but the goalkeeper saved it.
In the second half, Hojlund squandered a third chance, controlling the ball well in the box but shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
Former United star Keane criticized Hojlund for his poor decision-making on the first opportunity.
‘We said before the game, if he gets one or two chances, he has to be clinical. And he’s not been,’ Keane said.
‘These are tough chances, they are not easy. This first one, he works hard to get it back, it is sloppy from Germany but he works hard to win it back and he gets in a great position.
‘You have to go across goal. You might hit the target, the goalkeeper might save it, you might get a tap in, whatever.’
Wright was more scathing in assessing the second opportunity, questioning Hojlund’s instincts in attack.
‘You talk about a player improving and learning new things but that is something you should know right from the start,’ Wright said.
‘For this second chance, he takes a little step just before he gets to the ball. That gives the goalie some times. It’s brilliant from the goalkeeper but he gives the goalkeeper that fraction of a second and that’s all you need.
‘The goalkeeper is waiting for anything then. The goalkeeper is committed at that point, he’s down you just have to try and get it over him.’
