The quality trait on show from Mads Hermansen as keeper returns to West Ham on a high
West Ham United's Mads Hermansen rounded off his and Denmark's international break on Sunday night with a win over Wales.
The Hammers goalkeeper has split his time with Filip Jorgensen in the Denmark goal over the past few weeks.
Jorgensen started the first two games of their Nations League group stage campaign, before Hermansen got the nod for the final two.
As a result, Danish boss Brian Riemer doesn't yet appear to be set on his number one moving forward after Kasper Schmeichel's retirement.
Hermansen did his best to keep Denmark in the game despite a 4-2 defeat against Portugal last time out.
Despite shipping four goals, Hermansen remained upbeat about his performance, and even explained why he felt Riemer started him.
What did Mads Hermansen say about why he got Denmark start?
In the modern age of football, a lot of coaches demand their goalkeeper to be as comfortable on the ball and passing it as an outfielder is.
Playing out from the back has been the trend that's dominated football tactics in recent times, both at club and international level.
Riemer is trying to implement a possession-based approach with Denmark too, and that starts from his goalkeeper.
Speaking via Danish outlet Tipsbladet after the Portugal defeat, Hermansen said: "I really like playing with my feet, and it's also something that suits me really well.
"I also think that was one of the reasons why I was chosen [against Portugal] in relation to the fact that they wanted to go up and press us man-to-man."
So, how did Hermansen get on against Wales in this regard?
How many passes did Hermansen complete vs Wales?
Denmark and Wales ended their respective Nations League international breaks at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Danes who emerged victorious, running out 1-0 winners thanks to a 75th-minute Rasmus Hojlund penalty.
Overall, it was a quiet night for Hermansen, with Craig Bellamy's side only registering six shots on goal and just the one on target.
Per FotMob, however, Hermansen completed 21 of his 26 (81 per cent) pass attempts successfully.
He also made six throws, played two accurate long balls, made three high claims and 10 recoveries, with the latter being the most of any player on the pitch.
The West Ham star backed his ability with the ball at his feet post-Portugal, and he proved that against Wales.
It was a bold and confident claim to make, with the potential for it to backfire on a bad night, but Nuno Espirito Santo will love this confidence from his shot-stopper.