Šilhavý after the win over Poland: I was worried, we felt pressure. I didn’t expect us to score two goals at the beginning

On Friday 24 March, the Czech Republic defeated Poland 3-1 in the first qualifying match for the 2024 European Championship and got off on the right foot. How did the coach Jaroslav Šilhavý evaluate the last duel?

The Czech Republic successfully managed its first Euro 2024 qualification match and defeated Poland 3:1 thanks to goals from Ladislav Krejci, Tomáš Čvančara and Jan Kuchta.

The Czechs took the lead in the first minute. Vladimír Coufal found Ladislav Krejčí with a long ball, who headed into the net. A minute later David Jurásek fed the ball to Tomáš Čvančara, who had an easy job.

The Poles also created some good chances during the game, but couldn’t convert any of them. It was only in the 87th minute that Damian Szymanski came through in an unclear situation, but he only reduced it to 1::3. In the 64th minute, Kuchta scored the third Czech goal after an assist from Alex Kral.

The Czech national football team took the lead after the opening match of qualifying group E. The next match will take place in Moldova on Monday 25 March at 20:45.

It should be added that there are only five teams in Group E, two of which qualify directly for the Euros. And although the Czech national team still has seven more matches to play, three points against Poland could play an important role in the final showdown.

And if the Czechs make it through the game in Moldova, the situation will be all the more positive. Thus, the Czech national team is in first place in the group with 3 points, with Faroe Islands and Moldova in second and third place respectively with one point. Poland is currently last, Albania has not played a match yet.

Šilhavy after the match…

“We wanted to go at them, but we didn’t expect to score two goals in two minutes. Even the Poles were surprised. I praise the boys for the result, for the performance, for the attitude. The atmosphere was great. We enjoyed it,” said the national team coach at the press conference.

Coach Šilhavy also said that he chose the right strategy, which was to play fast and simple. He said he took some risks with the rejuvenated lineup and was worried before the game.

“The qualification starts, we all feel the pressure. We had a strong opponent who has excellent players. And we went at them with the tactics we have been practicing for less than a week. I praised the whole team. I understand you’re asking about the newcomers, but that’s forgetting the guys in the back. It started with Jiri Pavlenka, who we haven’t had in goal for a long time,” praises Šilhavý.

“We wanted to play this way so the fans would like it. After winning the ball, we moved forward quickly so that the opponent had no time for anything. When you score quick goals, you draw the fans in and then it’s easier. We will want to play like that in the next matches,” he concluded.

Source