Čech cautious about Chelsea chances

Chelsea FC goalkeeper Petr Čech thinks it is "50-50" as to who emerges victorious from the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against old rivals Liverpool FC because "both teams know each other" so well. As well as looking ahead to the two sides' fourth knockout tie in five seasons, the Czech Republic No1, who was fielding questions from uefa.com users, also discussed how the national team have coped without the injured Tomáš Rosický and his protective head gear.

How do you fancy Chelsea's chances against Liverpool in the home and away leg of the Champions League quarter-finals?
Gus Wibooi, Cape Town, South Africa

Petr Čech: This match is 50-50. Both teams have known each other for a long time and it will be two tough matches. But if we play well we surely have the quality to progress.

Both teams have had a great rivalry in the Champions League over the last few years. How will you and the squad will be approaching the two games?
Michael Stoolman, 22, Sydney

Čech: We know the first game is very important and an away goal could be crucial, so we'll go to Liverpool to get a positive result which will put us in a good position for the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

How much more important is the Champions League this year to Chelsea than in previous years?
Elias C, 16, New York City

Čech: The Champions League has always been an important competition for us and this year we have extra motivation because of the defeat in the final last season. We hope we can progress to the final again and get another chance to win it. If we stay behind in the Premier League, then the Champions League will become even more important.

What is the greatest save you have made and can you describe it?
George Santos, 12, Auckland, New Zealand

Čech: I'm sorry but I never know which one to choose, because for me every save is important. I don't make any comparison between my saves.

What do you think about when Chelsea are dominating and play is down the other end?
Steven Pauls, 19, Godalming, England

Čech: When that happens, I organise my defence. It's like a game of chess, you always have to be one step ahead and you need to keep the players in good positions in case the team loses possession. This is more important then making saves.

Who has the most powerful shot in the game today?
Frank Drysdale, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Čech: It is hard to say because there are so many players with a great shot. The most powerful shot I have ever experienced was from Robert Huth, my team-mate from Chelsea few years ago, who is currently with Middlesbrough.

How does your head protection influence your willingness to go for a 50:50 ball or get into the thick of things?
Tony Kaltenberg, 40, Oregon Coast, USA

Čech: I never felt any fear when going for 50:50 balls before my injury and I've been feeling the same since I came back. I'm wearing the helmet only for medical reasons, not for psychological reasons, so it doesn't influence me. For me it is just a tool which allows me to play the game I love.

Do you feel safer wearing a helmet and should other keepers wear one?
Mattias, 18, Sweden

Čech: I'm wearing the helmet only for medical reasons but if someone feels a bit anxious going for 50/50 balls then the helmet could be something to help them. It is everybody's choice whether to play with or without, like it used to be in ice hockey. I don't have this choice – I have to play with it.

Do you intend to wear the helmet for the rest of your career?
Fedon, 18, Greece

Čech: I'll wear the helmet as long as the doctors tell me to. How long this means? I don't know.

Who is the best goalkeeper in the world?
Bruno Sanquin, 26, Namur, Belgium

Čech: It is very hard to choose just one and there is a great pool you can choose from: Buffon, Casillas, Van der Sar, Júlio César and Reina.

As a goalkeeper myself, I am wondering how you cope with pre-game anxiety and nerves before big games?
Fedor, 25, Canada

Čech: I always think about my performance only. I always want to perform no matter what kind of game I'm involved in. For me, there is no difference between the Champions League final or a friendly game. I put the same pressure on myself every time. Due to this I don't get influenced by the importance of the game. You can't control anything in football but yourself.

How do you think the Czech Republic are looking at the moment with Tomáš Rosický still on the sidelines?
Caleb Lindsey

Čech: We're still a very good team with experienced players but at the moment we're having problems scoring goals. We're missing Tomáš and, although it makes things difficult, I think we can cope with this big loss. We're still confident we can qualify for the World Cup.

Which team did you support as a child and do you still support them?
Gevorg, 23, Armenia

Čech: As a child I supported Barcelona. Now that I'm at Chelsea it is different.

What trophy do you dream about winning?
Guvanc, 23, Turkmenistan

Čech: The answer has to be the Champions League with my club and the European Championship with the Czech Republic.

How did you recover from the disappointment of the Champions League final against Manchester United and the Euro 2008 game against Turkey?
Elias, 16, Lebanon

Čech: Sometimes it is difficult to recover from these disappointments, but life goes on and there is still plenty to aim for so I turned the page and tried to focus on the future instead. A bad experience is an experience nonetheless and I'm sure it will help in the future.

Which striker do you fear the most and who do you think is the best penalty taker in Europe?
Ahsan Javed, 27, Germany

Čech: I have no fear. One of the best penalty-takers is Del Piero.

What, if any, superstitions or rituals do you have before a match and do you alter these if you lost the previous game?
Thomas Stipp, 24, Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Čech: I'm not superstitious and I don't have any rituals because I don't believe they would help me to play any better.

What's your favourite movie and book?
Etuna Machavariani, Georgia

Čech: My favourite movie is The Inside Man – it's a Spike Lee film with Denzel Washington in lead role. As for books, I would pick The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.

Who's the best player you've played alongside for the national team?
Ian Hunt, 18, Birmingham, England

Čech: It is definitely Pavel Nedvěd or Karel Poborský.

As a goalkeeper myself, I would like to know how you stay focused before a game?
Brandon Bolen, 16, Stafford, VA, United States

Čech: I always just think about the game, about how the other team will play, their set-plays and what the main danger is to my goal. I also think about myself and what I'm going to do in all of those situations. I try to prepare in my mind for everything that could possibly happen in the game.

When you were at Sparta, did you ever think you would become one of the best goalkeepers in the world?
Bruno Machado, 24, Porto

Čech: It was always my dream and I tried to do my best to fulfil that dream. That was my target and I'm happy that my dream has come true.

I coach a boys' varsity high school team. My goalkeeper is having difficulty coming off his line and judging corners and long throws. He is 5'9" which contributes to his problem. How can I help him?
Kevin Berry, 41, Virginia, USA

Čech: It's all a matter of confidence. If he's confident he can go and catch it and he will do so. If he doesn't have the confidence then he needs to get it from training with or competing against other players, or even other goalkeepers. Let him work on crosses only with an opposition of three or four players or one or two goalkeepers. Challenge him. Once he knows he can win the duel in training he will start coming for crosses in the game as well. For example, put two goals face-to-face, 10 metres apart and one goalkeeper in each. Then let them challenge for the crosses. You can use some players as well to disturb things. He will learn how to beat the bigger guys in the air by having better timing with a better starting position. Good luck.

FC Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez is next in line to answer questions from uefa.com readers so to put yours to him click here. Please include your name, age and location in your email. uefa.com will select the best questions and put them to Marquez ahead of the second leg of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against FC Bayern München.