What did the Czech national team’s win over Switzerland show?

On Thursday evening, the Czech national football team defeated Switzerland 2-1 in the Nations League. The Czech footballers managed to pull off a victory in a combative and lively match. What did the first match of the national team after the extension of the contract with coach Jaroslav Šilhavy show?

Passivity during the lead

It’s natural that when one team loses in football, it turns up the gears and starts pushing more on the offensive. This was also the case yesterday when the Swiss were 1:0 and the Czechs 2:1.

But the home players made it too easy for their opponents by their own passivity. They stopped attacking and left the initiative to their opponent. In the first half, Okafor’s unnecessary equaliser was the result, but at 2:1 the Swiss could not find another goal.

Coufal’s energy

Vladimir Coufal is known to be a footballer with exceptional physical condition. But his long season at West Ham must have had an impact on him too. In Thursday’s game, however, it was not evident.

He worked the line as he is wont to do, from the start to the final whistle. After his long drive, he scored the first goal with a beautiful, hard shot from distance that almost broke the bar.

The certainty of Vaclik

Tomas Vaclik once again kept the Czech team in it. Especially his former Basel teammate Breel Embolo gave him a hard time. He also excelled himself during Silvan Widmer’s chance in the second half.

He was only able to stop Okafor’s shot from close range under the top bar, but he could do nothing about it. When the Czech defence let the opponent have a chance, Vaclik was ready and intervened.

Rider Kuchta

If Patrik Schick is not available, the Czech national team is growing a great striker. Jan Kuchta worked tirelessly, pressed, fought, and in his classic fashion scored the first goal when he took advantage of a defensive hesitation. He also signed for the second goal when he flew into a flowing centre that didn’t flow, but threw the stopper and the goalkeeper off balance until the ball ended up in the net.

Sources