What did the Czechs show against Portugal? The left side is on fire, Jemelka asked for more space

The Czech national team lost for the first time in the third edition of the Nations League on Thursday, losing 0:2 to Portugal and dropping to third place in the table. What did the match show towards the match in Spain?

The left side is on fire

The left side of the defence is a separate chapter for the Czech national team. Jan Bořil has been giving solid performances in recent years, but his performance at last year’s Euro sent the fans against him and Jaroslav Šilhavy has not yet found an adequate replacement.

In the new formation with wing-backs, the demands on the edges of the defence are even higher. It is not only necessary to defend well, but also to make offensive attacks and have physicality.

Milan Havel did not make it through the 2022 World Cup barrage against Sweden in Qatar, yet the coaching staff gave him confidence against the nimble Portuguese. The Viktoria Plzen bek didn’t keep up with the pace, made a mistake on the first goal, subbed at half-time and proved he is definitely not a wing-back.

The dug-in Jemelka stood his ground

Thursday’s defeat was not only Havel’s fault, but the entire left side. Adam Hložek struggled in attack, Aleš Matějů, as against the Spaniards, did not hold his own at left-back. In the second half, the Venice defender moved up a line and Václav Jemelka took his place.

The Olomouc stopper definitely solidified the defense, the left side was not as passable in the second half and Jemelka asked for a chance in the rematch with the Spaniards. Apart from the memories he took away from the game, he also got a cut and a cut on his ankle, on the other hand which other Czech can say that the star Cristiano Ronaldo got a yellow card after a tackle on him.

Jurecka as Kuchta

The departure of Nicolae Stanciu and Jan Kuchta left Slavia in the winter and it was the departure of the two mainstays that was the main reason why Plzeň celebrated the title. They were missing the brains of the game and above all a goalscorer, which the Sevivans want to find in Vaclav Jurecka.

The summer signing was given the entire second half against Portugal, during which she indicated that she is no stranger to combativeness and dedication. At times he really resembled Kuchta, the only downside to his performance was an inaccurate finish after a Hložek pass.

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