Analysis of EURO 2021: Czech Republic headed for group stage after long time with strong squad

The Czech Republic is going to the EURO with quite high expectations. Jaroslav Šilhavy has put together a squad that clearly has the ability to advance out of the group. Can it fight its way through the competition with England, Croatia and Scotland?

Goalkeepers: Tomáš Vaclík (Sevilla), Jiří Pavlenka (Werder Bremen), Aleš Mandous (Sigma Olomouc)

Here comes the first big question mark. To put the long-time number one Tomáš Vaclík in goal, despite the fact that he has hardly played in the season? Or to trust Jiří Pavlenko, who is a regular Bundesliga catcher for Bremen but has only 5 competitive starts for the national team?

Jaroslav Šilhavý will probably bet on the tried and tested Vaclik. He showed his confidence in the 32-year-old goalkeeper in the spring World Cup qualifiers, when it was the Sevilla goalkeeper who scored in an important match against Wales.

Defenders: Pavel Kadeřábek (Hoffenheim), Ondřej Čelůstka (Sparta Prague), Tomáš Kalas (Bristol City), Jan Bořil (Slavia Prague), Jakub Brabec (Viktoria Plzeň), Vladimír Coufal (West Ham), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Aleš Matějů (Brescia), David Zima (Slavia Prague)

There is nothing to solve on the edges of the defence. The right side is reserved for Vladimir Coufal, who had a wonderful season at West Ham. On the left, Jan Bořil, the captain of the current Fortuna Liga champion, will start.

But the stopper pair could be a weakness. Ondřej Kúdela, who has been in the form of his life, cannot go due to a penalty. Coach Šilhavý has four options – Kalas, Čelůsta, Brabec and Zima. The youngster had a great season, but Jaroslav Šilhavý is a conservative type of coach and doesn’t like to experiment with untried players.

That’s why his deployment in the starting lineup is not expected. Ondřej Čelůstka, on whom Šilhavý has been counting since the beginning of his engagement, and Tomáš Kalas, who had a decent season individually in the second English league, will most likely start.

Midfielders: Vladimír Darida (Hertha Berlin), Jakub Jankto (Sampdoria), Tomáš Souček (West Ham), Lukáš Masopust (Slavia Praha), Antonín Barák (Verona), Alex Král (Spartak Moscow), Petr Ševčík (Slavia Praha), Adam Hložek, (Sparta Praha), Jakub Pešek (Slovan Liberec)

The busiest part and a big challenge for the implementation team. There are 4 wolfmen applying for 3 positions, all of them deserving their place. Antonín Barák, who had a great season in Verona, will probably not fit into the three.

Šilhavý will probably bet on the proven trio Souček – Král – Darida. The Hertha midfielder is also the team captain, Souček is his first assistant. Alex Král has enriched the national team with his energy and running ability and Šilhavý is counting on him a lot.

Jakub Jankto, the top assistant under coach Šilhavý, will almost certainly start on the left wing. The Sampdoria midfielder has been performing well for the national team and has a lot of trust from the management team.

The right side is another question mark. There is room for Adam Hložek, but the coach is more likely to bet on Lukáš Masopust, who returned to his great form in the spring.

Matěj Vydra (Burnley), Michael Krmenčík (PAOK), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Tomáš Pekhart (Legia Warsaw)

There’s no question about it in attack, Patrik Schick will jump out on top 99% of the time. A lot is riding on the attacking number one, both goals and assists are expected from him. He will be backed up by Michael Krmencik, who enjoys the trust of the coaches. Depending on the match typology, the decision will be between Vydra and Pekhart.

Šilhavý may have an ace up his sleeve in certain parts of the game. And that is the deployment of Adam Hložek at the tip of the attack alongside Patrik Schick. The soon to be 19-year-old talent has shown that playing second striker suits him best, so ours could be very strong in this line-up.

Key factors: Team concept of play and efficiency

We can’t match England or Croatia in individual skills or ball handling, that’s just a fact. But Slavia showed us all the way to beat better opponents. To literally outrun their rivals, not giving them an inch of space.

Team performance, that’s what always decorated our team and brought success. Another key factor will be converting chances. Whether in qualification or in the Nations League, Šilhavy’s charges have performed brilliantly, but often failed to convert chances. For example, in Scotland or Wales.

Positioning tip: Eight finals

Source: Livesport, Czech national football team