Leverkusen give Czech national team a condition for Schick’s release for barrage match

The World Cup barrier match against Sweden will be played on 24 March. Czech fans are still wondering whether the national team’s mainstay Patrik Schick will recover in time for this important match. Bayer Leverkusen have commented on his possible release for the national team.

Patrik Schick was injured in the weekend match against Mainz. Due to the injury, he had to make a substitution in the 48th minute of the match, after which he underwent an MRI. It revealed a tear in the calf muscle.

“Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that Patrik Schick suffered a tear in his left calf in Friday’s game. Hewill be out of action for several weeks,” read the club’s official statement. Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler subsequently added that he will be absent for at least three weeks.

Three weeks out would mean Schick could return to the pitch in mid-March. The Czech national team is scheduled to meet on March 21. From this point of view, the chances of starting in the barrage look promising.

However, according to Bayer Leverkusen manager Pavel Paska, the club will not release the player for the national team if he fails to play at least one Bundesliga game for Leverkusen before the national team meets.

Let’s remember the autumn of 2019, when Patrik was still playing in the jersey of RB Leipzig and was struggling with an injured ankle. After his recovery, he had a few training sessions and 27 match minutes.

In this condition, he got permission from the Leipzig management to go to the Czech national team meeting before the qualifying duel for the EURO with England.

However, Patrik had already started the preparatory match against Northern Ireland, from which he had to withdraw after a while, as his injury had recurred. Leverkusen probably don’t want to risk something like that.

Sources: Deník Sport