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The Ajax man is one of his country's top players, but has struggled in Poland and Ukraine so far. What can Olsen do to utilise his talent and progress to the quarter-finals?

Michael Hansen  Denmark Expert Follow on

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When Denmark play their do-or-die Group B clash against Germany on Sunday evening, all eyes will be on Christian Eriksen to see if the Ajax wonderkid finally lives up to the expectations team coach Morten Olsen and the Danish public have for him.

The 20-year-old was his nation's big hope going into Poland and Ukraine, described as the 'new Michael Laudrup' and key to the Scandinavian's chances of going far in the tournament.

Until now Eriksen has been a major disappointment, barely involved in the play and making little impact in either the 1-0 win over Netherlands or the 3-2 defeat to Portugal. Olsen even conceded himself that, while the 20-year-old has been a "team player", he has struggled "individually" - suggesting that he is tired after a long club season where he made an exhaustive 41 appearances for Dutch champions Ajax.

Eriksen's problem could also be tactical. Olsen utilises a defensive 4-3-3/4-5-1 system, thus handing the youngster the role of centre midfielder just behind lone striker Nicklas Bendtner.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

Read more about him here

KEY STATS AGE 20 POSITION Attacking midfield CAREER APPEARANCES 112 INTERNATIONAL CAPS 25 HONOURS Eredivisie title winner x 2 Dutch Cup winner Eredivisie Young Player of the Year 2011 Danish Footballer of the Year 2011

Eriksen is not a forward by nature and is rarely seen inside the opponents' penalty area. He scored seven goals for Ajax and earned 17 assists in their title winning campaign, but in 25 appearances for Denmark, he has registered just two goals.

A more attack-minded 4-4-2 formation would suit his attributes much more, allowing him a freer role as a supporting striker to Bendtner. This would also enable him to move further forward with three midfielders behind him to protect him. In a 4-3-3, Eriksen has only two defensive midfielders alongside him and he operates on his own for the most part.

Danes look to stun Group of Death

It must also be remembered that he is only 20 years old, and too much pressure must not be put on a youngster, who potentially has 15 years of his career ahead of him.

But if Eriksen is not the key to open up the German defence on Sunday evening, then what can Denmark do?

All three of the goals that Denmark have scored at Euro 2012 have come from passes coming from the flanks, and since Denmark will continue with a 4-3-3 formation in the Germany game, this will again be the key to their chances of pulling off a shock victory.

Denmark will also need to tighten up their defence, having conceded three sloppy goals against Portugal. They must keep a close eye on Mario Gomez, but also be aware of the threat posed by Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Germany play with a 4-2-3-1 and this will put extra pressure on the Danish midfielders.

Netherlands also used this system in Denmark's opening game and if Olsen sticks with the same game-plan against Germany then it is mostly a question of getting his players behind the ball and hoping to score on counterattacks. They cannot rely on the Germans being as wasteful in front of goal as Netherlands were, though.

Denmark have only met Germany twice before in a European Championship tournament. In 1988 when the Germans were the victors 2-0, and in 1992 when Denmark famously beat them with the same scoreline in the final. This was, of course, before Olsen became Denmark coach, and he is still undefeated against die Mannschaft during his reign, winning two matches and drawing one. Will he extend this run and progress to the quarter-finals?

Denmark fans are dreaming that he will.