The Swiss came to the Czech Republic to play, it’s hard to get motivated after the season, thinks the former league midfielder

The Czech national team is undefeated after two rounds of the third edition of the UEFA Nations League and will play Portugal for the first place on Thursday. However, it is clear that some of the national teams are not enjoying the new competition.

The Nations League was created primarily to ensure that only useless friendlies are not played. And at least the smaller countries of Europe have welcomed the new competition, as good results can ensure promotion and therefore matches with the top teams.

But the European superpowers did not find motivation in the Nations League, Kevin de Bruyne let it be known that he was not enjoying the competition and the enthusiasm was certainly not evident in the Swiss and Spanish players when they arrived in the Czech Republic.

“You could clearly see the attitude of both teams. Especially the Swiss came here to play and it wasn’t the only game, the Belgians were completely burnt out at home (1::4). It’s hard to get motivated for these Nations League games after that season,” said Petr Nerad on the Football Focus podcast.

On the other hand, the Czech players were hungry to qualify for the top group. And they weren’t the only ones – the Hungarians beat England in the first round, while the Austrians blasted the 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia 3-0.

Czechs have the most points of all the newcomers in the A-League so far, the main contributors to the win over the Swiss and the draw with the Spanish were striker Jan Kuchta (2 goals and 1 assist) and Olympiakos goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

“It’s a big game for our guys against a big opponent and it showed. We outplayed the Swiss and deservedly won. We alsomanaged the match with Spain, we showed that despite the absence of quality in the national team we have,” continued the former Bohemians and Vysočina Jihlava player.

The improved performance of the national team goes hand in hand with a change of formation, since the World Cup barrage match in Qatar against the Swedes (0::1) Jaroslav Šilhavý prefers a three-stopper formation. And it has to be said that it is paying off.

Jan Kuchta, with his goals and black work, is asking for a transfer to the TOP league, but the biggest progress is seen in Jakub Brabec. The often criticized stopper in the middle of the three-man defensive line has blossomed, he is confident in the air and in the midfield.

“He has shown that he rightfully belongs in the lineup and that maybe he and David Zima are the right pair, if not a three, because Šilhavý is showing that he will play regularly with three stoppers,” Nerad added.

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