D-Day is here! How will the Czech national team perform against Sweden?

The Czech national team will play a crucial game against Sweden today. They cannot afford to falter in the World Cup barrier, because they have no chance to make amends. What line-up will they field against Sweden?

Jaroslav Šilhavy, the coach, is clear on the goalkeeper. Tomáš Vaclík is the number one, while Jindřich Staněk and Milan Heča will play the role of substitutes.

The biggest worries were with the defence. It has completely disintegrated since last year’s Euro. The only regular member of the squad, Jakub Brabec, was left at stopper. Next to him should be Tomáš Holeš, who got into great shape in Slavia.

And on the edges of the defence? On the right, Lukáš Masopust, who plays in this position at Slavia, could come in. Aleš Matějů will probably be preferred on the left side.

In the centre of midfield there is one certainty, captain Tomáš Souček. Michal Sadílek, who has already played like this at the end of the qualifiers and could be valid for the Swedes with his energetic approach to the game, could be next to him.

They will be preceded by Antonín Barák, who is in the form of his life in Serie A. And the attacking trio? Quite possibly Šilhavý will bet on a trio that has only 16 starts between them. But judging by their current form, they seem to be the best choice.

On the right wing, Ondrej Lingr, the league’s second top scorer and a goalscorer who will be needed. On the power play, Jan Kuchta, who had a great showing in Russia and his work on the press and defensive end will be extremely important. And on the left wing, Adam Hložek, the league’s most productive player.

Probable line-up of the Czech national team:

Vaclik
Masopust – Brabec – Holeš – Matějů
Soucek – Sadilek
Lingr – Barák – Hložek
Kuchta

But it is also possible that the Czech national team will come up with a surprising line-up. Šilhavý and his assistants are toying with the idea of going for a 3-5-2 formation, which would look like this:

Vaclik
Brabec – Holeš – Zima
Masopust – Barák – Souček – Sadílek – Jankto
Kuchta – Hložek

Let’s hope that the coach will choose the right line-up that will guarantee our qualification to the final against Poland.

Source:: Czech national football team