Mads Hermansen, a talented 23-year-old goalkeeper, is edging closer to his debut on the international stage for Denmark. With the Euro finals in Germany looming next summer, Hermansen has solidified his position in the national squad. Meanwhile, Kasper Schmeichel, the current Danish goalkeeper, felt the pressure after a lackluster performance against San Marino, struggling to overcome the underdog nation.
Hermansen has been in exceptional form for Leicester City, displaying great composure and skill in playing the ball out from the back. His performances have garnered attention, making him a prime candidate for the first-choice goalkeeper position at the club in the long run.
Kasper Hjulmand, the head coach of Denmark, recognizes the importance of witnessing Hermansen in action on the international stage. If Denmark qualifies for the Euro finals in Germany next summer, it is believed that Schmeichel’s position as the starting goalkeeper is far from guaranteed, as he has struggled to adapt to a more modern style of play.
Although Schmeichel recently completed his 97th full international game against San Marino, he is undoubtedly approaching an age where retirement becomes a consideration, especially from international football. As Schmeichel is set to turn 37 on November 5th, Hermansen appears to be the next in line for the coveted goalkeeper position.
The pressure on Schmeichel was evident during the close match against San Marino, where Denmark narrowly avoided a shocking upset. Schmeichel was caught on camera berating a ball boy, but fortunately, Yussuf Poulsen of RB Leipzig scored a crucial goal, securing a 2-1 victory and ending the disappointing performance.
Denmark’s upcoming qualification matches against Slovenia (home) and Northern Ireland (away) on November 17th and 20th, respectively, will play a pivotal role. A single win should be sufficient to secure their spot in the Euro finals next summer, guaranteeing Hermansen’s inclusion in the Denmark squad. Additionally, Hermansen will prove to be a formidable challenger for Schmeichel, as the experienced goalkeeper needs to deliver strong and consistent performances to maintain his position as Denmark’s number one goalkeeper.