EURO friendly report card: Czech Republic
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Article summary
The Czech Republic lost one and drew one of their two March friendlies and have issues in defence, midfield and attack – but it is not all doom and gloom.
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Results
Thursday: Czech Republic 0-1 Scotland (Anya 10)
Koubek; Kadeřábek, Sivok, Kadlec, Limberský; Darida (Rada 87), Vacek (Mareček 78), Dočkal (Kolář 65), Frýdek (Skalák 46), Šural (Puidil 78); Necid (Vydra 65)
Bořek Dočkal hit the bar in the eighth minute for the hosts, but within two minutes, Ikechi Anya calmly finished a counterattack, beating debutant goalkeeper Tomáš Koubek – deputising for the injured Petr Čech. Allan McGregor made decent saves from Vladimír Darida, Martin Frýdek and substitute Daniel Kolář, with the Czechs a little under par with Tomáš Rosický, Jaroslav Plašil and David Pavelka also absent.
Tuesday: Sweden 1-1 Czech Republic (Berg 14; Vydra 26)
Vaclík; Gebre Selassie, Sivok (Brabek 60), Suchý, Pudil; Darida (Frydek 60), Marecek (Rada 72); Skalák (Sural 60), Kolár, Krejcí; Vydra (Necid 72)
Sweden and the Czech Republic created plenty of chances but only one goal apiece. Most of the action came in the first half, with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Emil Forsberg both denied by Tomás Vaclík from close range while at the other end a strong Theodor Gebre Selassie shot stung Andreas Isaksson's palms. Marcus Berg and Matej Vydra provided the efforts that counted. The second half saw plenty of substitutions but few openings of note.
What we learned
1) Tomás Vaclík is a more than capable stand-in for No1 goalkeeper Petr Čech.
2) If Tomás Rosický is not fit for the EURO, a new leader and thinker has to be found.
3) Young defender Martin Frýdek is able to cope with the pressure on him.
Questions remain
▪ Who will make up the Czech defence in France? With Marek Suchý banned for the opening game, what will the back four look like?
▪ Who is going to be the main striker? Tomáš Necid or Matěj Vydra? Or David Lafata who was rested for the two friendlies?
▪ In the final reckoning, how is coach Pavel Vrba going to compose his squad? Which of the youngsters will make the cut?
Room for improvement
The Czech defence must avoid the mistakes that cropped up in both recent friendlies – these are sure to be punished at the EURO. At the other end, the finishing needs a degree more precision so that opposition goalkeepers have no chance of being the hero, as McGregor was for Scotland.
EURO certainties (if fit)
Goalkeepers: Petr Čech (Arsenal), Tomáš Vaclík (Basel)
Defenders: Tomáš Sivok (Bursaspor), Pavel Kadeřábek (Hoffenheim), David Limberský (Plzeň), Marek Suchý (Basel)
Midfielders: Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal), Vladimír Darida (Hertha), Bořek Dočkal (Sparta), Ladislav Krejčí (Sparta), Josef Šural (Sparta)
Forwards: Tomáš Necid (Bursaspor), Matěj Vydra (Reading)
Media view
Karel Häring, Daily Sport reporter
"Euphoria? Certainly not, but no despair. The Czech team will have a chance at the final tournament. They are in a strong group along with Spain Croatia and Turkey, yet the qualities that helped them qualify can still be of use. Despite setbacks against Latvia in qualifying and against Scotland last week, the Czechs certainly have the ability to surprise and may do just that at the EURO."