Who is Joakim Maehle?
The Atalanta’s wingback is an unknown player and not one of the finest defenders with an impeccable pedigree, but at Euro 2021 Championship he has proven to be an amazing player with his impressive displays.
It’s been truly remarkable to see the Danes rally around for a heroic journey into the knockout rounds, all thanks to Maehle’s contribution.
Maehle joins Atalanta in 2020 from Genk on a five-year contract for a fee of around €10m and since teaming up with the La Dea he’s been improving every day churning out impressive performances.
After Denmark coming close to been ousted from the competition in the group stages, the Danes have been in a phenomenon form, spanking both Russia and Wales in the rounds of 16.
Fast forward to their quarterfinals match against Czech, the 1992 champions has been enjoying a bizarre run of form which has come as a huge surprise to every football enthusiast, turning what looks like a disappointing outing due to the awful event that happened at the Copenhagen stadium when Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch.
Since that unpleasant night in Denmark, the team has drastically pick themselves up from the brink of disaster after losing their opening two matches, churning out a mouthwatering display with Maehle in the heart of every move.
Joakim Maehle’s style
The Danish standout player in their European Championship campaign has been the former Genk wingback who has been a weapon of mass destruction with his blistering pace and impeccable crosses.
Naturally, he’s a right-back but the Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand prefers to use him as a left wingback starting all of Denmark matches, producing his finest performance since the start of the championship in their triumph over Czech.
He made Denmark debut in September 2020 in a Nations League game against Belgium coming on for Barcelona’s forward Braithwaite and since then he’s been a rampaging beast from his wingback position for the “Red & White”.
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Maehle has become a revelation at the Championship despite the competition been his first for Denmark on the international stage, while his style of play has often shown he’s a type of defender that often hugs the touchline and carefully considers his passing and crosses before whipping it into the box.
Maehle is very versatile and can start in various positions for his team. At Atalanta, he primarily plays as the right wing-back in Gian Piero Gasperini’s system while at Denmark he was seen playing on the opposite side to accommodate Daniel Wass on the right side.
He is also adept at playing as one of the midfielders as he can use his attacking instincts to create chances for his teammates from the middle of the park.
He appeared in 20 games this season in Serie A for Atalanta, playing a total of 1211 minutes, taking his amazing form to the European Championship. Atalanta’s high pressing style of play in Serie A has contributed to Maehle’s pattern of play as a wingback.
Maehle has created a buzz around his brilliant display for Denmark in the quarter-finals when he time his run perfectly on the left flank to produce an assist with the outside of his boot for the second goal against the Czech.
Mæhle’s stroke of genius is just the umpteenth reminder that players passing with the outside of their foot always make for jaw-dropping viewing.
Prior to the impudent display against Czech, he’s been brilliant for the Danes attacking-wise, but the quarter-finals display further brings his expertise and brilliance to the fore.
The Hjulmand’s side no doubt has had a remarkable tournament so far with each of their players rising up to the occasion including Maehle who has been an integral member of the Danes.
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The 24-year-old has scored two goals with one of them against Russia, completing the most dribbles in the game with five take on and followed by his starring performance in the round of 16 over Wales with a goal and nine duels.
Maehle involvement in Denmark builds up when they break forward is second to none, with the way he composes himself and how he whips in the crosses into the box with aplomb.
The Danes may not have the best of center-backs currently at the tournament, but the pairing of Simon Kjaer, Yannik Vestergaard, and Maehle has been quite impressive contributing to the defensive and attacking play of the team.
His electrifying pace when attacking from the flank also shows he has been involved in over 85% of his team’s defensive and attacking action.
All eyes would be on Maehle when the Danes set out to meet the Three Lion in the semi-finals, with a huge responsibility on his shoulder to continue his good run of form against one of the favorite teams tipped to win the Championship.
Hjulmand’s decision in changing his formation from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3 has really been beneficial to the resurgence of his team, should he adopt the same tactics, Maehle might hurt the Three Lions from his wingback position with pace and the eyes for deadly crosses from deep into the box.
