Rasmus Hojlund was not happy after he felt targeted during Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday night.
The Manchester United striker opened the scoring for Denmark in a 2-1 win over San Marino. As a result they have the same amount of points (19) as Group H leaders Slovenia.
While Denmark’s win grabbed the headlines, there was also controversy over San Marino’s tactics, especially when it came to aggressively targeting him.
Hojlund spoke out about the San Marino players in a post-match interview but also via Instagram Stories.
Since then, San Marino’s stars have hit back at the United striker.
The Danish striker, 20, told reporters (via Daily Mail): “I feel they targeted me, as you can see at the end.
“I understand Italian and I could hear them saying that they had the idea to crush me.”
On Instagram, Hojlund wrote: “We do so much everyday to be the best version of yourself and keep fit for so many games. This behaviour from San Marino last night, trying to injure me was unacceptable!’.”
Rasmus Hojlund on Instagram 😬 pic.twitter.com/sFxxABCrEQ
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 18, 2023
Hojlund had the backing of his Denmark team-mates. For instance, Simon Kjaer noted that some of the tackles were reminiscent of the one that saw Brazil’s dreams crushed when Neymar broke a vertebra at the World Cup in 2014.
“It wasn’t nice things they said [to Rasmus],” Kjaer told Danish media.
“They deliberately tried to hurt him. What was said, I still think should stay on the field. I don’t want to hang anyone out, but it wasn’t positive.”
San Marino defender took to Instagram to say: “Today I read that Mr 80 million is complaining because yesterday he received less than great treatment from the defenders of San Marino.
“Well dear, probably in football like today where physical contact has disappeared you can allow yourself to make fun of us little opponents with ugly and repeated gestures or to simulate at every opportunity hoping for the VAR for a penalty.
“I would have liked to see you 15 years ago when only real men played football! You were a disappointment Hojlund, good luck’.”
What he that much of a disappointment after opening the scoring? I think not and sense a bit of jealousy from the San Marino players.
#Hojlund stats
vs San MarinoFotMob rating: 7.4
Playing time: 89 minutes
Participating position: CFattack stats
Number of touches: 38 times
Number of goals: 1
Number of shots: 3
Accurate number of passes (probability): 12/16 times (75%)
Number of dribbles (probability): 1/3… pic.twitter.com/uNRjsWKDXN— Red Glory TV (@RedGloryTV) October 18, 2023
That said, I do fear that Hojlund is only going to get targeted more often – in the Premier League, too. It could be argued that he needs to be stronger, but the same applies to referees.
Speaking after the game, fellow San Marino defender Alessandro Tosi dismissed Hojlund’s claims: “That’s not true.
“We only told him that he was not behaving properly. What he did was not necessary. He is a very strong striker, but he was not fair at all.
“I haven’t lost respect for him completely, but we expected better behaviour. His behaviour when celebrating was unacceptable.”
Tosi, who was clearly rattled by Hojlund, added: “Hojlund plays in a league against defenders who are far more skilled, physical and tougher than us, so he should be used to these kinds of duels.”
The knee Hojlund received into the back was a nasty one, although as a big physical centre-forward he’s up against it.
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