‘Arduous season may have led to Eriksen’s collapse’
A long club season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a draining Euro 2020 tournament build-up could have contributed to Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen’s horrific collapse, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said on Monday.
The 29-year old Denmark midfielder is in stable condition after suffering cardiac arrest during the first half of their 1-0 group B defeat by Finland in Copenhagen on Saturday, with play halted for nearly two hours after the incident.
Eriksen was given CPR by medical staff on the pitch before being rushed to a nearby hospital.
“We were really distressed by the horrific sight. It’s been a long season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and now Euro 2020 is a also massive exertion for the players not least because it requires so much travelling for most teams,” Dalic told an online news conference at Croatia’s base camp in their coastal resort of Rovinj.
“Some of these factors have likely played a part.”
Croatia play the Czechs on Friday and take on Scotland on June 22. – Reuters