Czech Republic, a surprise in the 2020 EUROS?
So, as The 2021 Euros starts, The Czech Republic is coming into the tournament looking to surprise big nations and become a potential dark horse.
After their success in the late 90s and the early 2000s, the Czech Republic hasn’t gotten close to that level of success ever since, despite that, they've consistently qualified for the euros, but are looking to bring that old spark and make a name for themselves again.
General information:
Best euro finishes (counting as the Czech Republic, not Czechoslovakia):
Final of the 1996 euros (First ever participation In the euros as the Czech Republic)
Semis of the 2004 euros.
FIFA ranking: 40th in the world, 22nd in Europe.
Recent fixtures: LWWWDLLW ( From 11/11/20 - 08/06/21 )
Qualification:
The Czech Republic finished 2nd in group A, 6 points behind England and 4 points above Kosovo who they beat 2-1 on the day before the final day thanks to 2 goals near the end of the game by Alex Kral in the 71st minute and Ondrej Celustka in the 79th, a match with insane pressure and tension throughout it. This happens to be a game that occurred a month after winning against England, with the same score and scenario as well as the same euphoria at the end.
Check out some of the clips here on youtube :
Kosovo game: https://youtu.be/StaEWrTRbdo
England game: https://youtu.be/Q2fbqxfOZQI
Let’s now look at the players to watch/lookout for that the Czech Republic is bringing in ahead of their euro 2021 tournament:
Vladimir Coufal:
Breaking out of the shadows at Slavia Prague, where he rightly deserved a move to Premier League team West Ham after winning 2 Czech titles, the Czech fullback has been enjoying himself this season, with his fantastic creativity from the flanks, being in the 90th percentile amongst premier league fullbacks in assist p90 (with 0,21) as well as boasting up an xA of 0,14 per 90 in the league which is ranked in the 82 percentile amongst players playing in his position as well, helping the hammers rise to the top into clinching Europa League qualification. Now Vladimir is looking to replicate that form in this years’ euros.
Patrick Schick:
Though not playing for the Czechs since 2019 due to injuries, the 6’2 forward is still the best option for Jaroslav Silhavy’s to lead the front line for his men, Tall, mobile and relatively agile for his height, Patrick Schick has always guaranteed goals, being the top scorer in the squad with 10. He looks to chip in with some more in these euros.
Thomas Soucek :
An obvious inclusion, Thomas Soucek has been brilliant for the hammers alongside National teammate Vladimir Coufal as aforementioned, the 192cm tall midfielder was permanently signed by the irons for 15 pounds after they avoided relegation in the 2019/20 season after being initially bought on loan from Slavia Prague, winning the Czech player of the year award as well as the Czech title in 2018/19. The “Czech Fellaini” has adapted amazingly well to life in England, providing good defensive solidity, and proving to be an absolute powerhouse in the air with around 6(!) aerial won p90, the best in the premier league amongst midfielders, as well as combining a great deal of offensive output, ranking in the 98th and 99th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 and non-penalty expected goals p90 (xG) respectively. The Giant Midfielder will want to bring the fullest out of what he's got to the national side this month.
Now let’s look at how Jaroslav Silhavy’s men will possibly line up in the euros:
The Czechs play a 4-2-3-1, with a defensive block that pushes up or sits deep depending on the game situation while the fullback (generally Coufal and Boril) tend to push high while Celutska and Kalas command the backline to create and exploit half spaces created by these movements to get good crossing chances in (4 crosses a game on average). The Double pivot pairing (strongest asset of the team) consisting of 23-year-old Spartak Moscow sensation Alex Kral, as well as undoubtedly the best player of the team Thomas Soucek, are the biggest hope for the Czechs, with Thomas Soucek’s fantastic aerial ability rendering him a force in front of goal as well as both MF being defensively adequate for the Czechs to not completely lose their defensive structure once one of them pushes up into the box.
While the Hertha berlin player and Czech captain Darida is very experienced, is great at finding space and picking up nice through balls, he has more of the profile of a central midfielder rather than a full-on number 10, there is a lack of a real number 10 in this squad.
And finally, The forward line consisting of Masopust, Jankto and Patrick Schick is pretty inconsistent and the latter of the three, Shick has not enjoyed a particularly amazing season at Leverkusen. Jankto and Masopust are pretty tricky wingers and have a good amount of crossing ability ( balls into Shick as he has dynamism and the size to attack crosses) and capable of chip in with a goal or two.
Final verdict:
There have been a good amount of changes in this squad compared to the last Czech republic team of the euro 2016 we can see that players like Plasil, Sivok, Roman Hubnik, Dokal and notably Petr Cech are no longer in the team. But this team that looks to be great dark horses in euros, with having players such as Thomas Soucek leading the charge, we can see them surprise either the Croatians or the English who are currently struggling under manager Gareth Southgate and get out of Group D and into the ro16, that's if they take their chances against Scotland as well on Monday.
Written by @/YoussefM6_ on Twitter
