“They’re too scared to go forward.”
Christian Eriksen has played against the Republic of Ireland three times in the last 12 months, and it sounds like he would be happy to never cross paths with Martin O’Neill’s side again.
Following the dour, awful goalless draw between Ireland and Denmark on Monday night, the Danish playmaker had some strong words about the Irish side.
According to Eriksen, Ireland were “too scared” to try to go forward in the Uefa Nations League tie.
He also said that they wasted every second they could in the match.
Thank god that is over https://t.co/21whStrcem
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 19, 2018
“There was a lot of defending on their side,” Eriksen said when asked to try to explain why Denmark couldn’t find a way past O’Neill’s team despite dominating proceedings.
“They play like this in every game we’ve played (against them over the last year).”
Eriksen also referenced the World Cup play-off second leg from last November, when Denmark won 5-1.
The Tottenham star scored a hat-trick that night in Dublin. He said that may have been why he was afforded very little space on Monday evening.
“In the second game in Ireland they wanted to go forward, but they knew what happened. So, that’s probably why they’re too scared to go forward.”
You can watch Eriksen’s interview with Sky Sports here:
“They’re too scared to go forward”#DENIRL pic.twitter.com/TMyBVZXIpJ
— Robert Redmond (@RobRedmond10) November 19, 2018
Ireland have failed to score in their last four games – their worst run in front of goal since 1996. Against Denmark, they camped on their 18-yard line and seemed content to try to get a point from what was effectively a dead rubber.
Regardless of the result, Denmark were going to be promoted to the top tier of the Nations League, and Ireland would be relegated.
While many Irish fans might not be happy with Eriksen’s post-game comments, he was just speaking his mind and it’s difficult to dispute anything he said.
