Our defense is going to be the biggest issue for us to succeed with this team. We have some really good keepers. Most nations would kill to have our choices for that. Midfield is pretty good. Only spot that is a bit suspect is the DM spot. Striking options are okay. Schick seems like the real deal though.
We've played very well since the first 20 minutes. Our front three is starting to click and has really put Slovakia under pressure. I was worried we'd sit back again after the goal, but we looked even better after going ahead.
Schick does a lot of things well but a few times this match he's definitely held on to the ball when he should have passed.
I will have to miss the end, but while we played well after the goal it's a bit disappointing we couldn't put in a 2nd. Defense is the biggest concern, but we still are missing a bit in attack as well.
I had to miss a lot of the second half, but I just turned the game back on. Apparently Slovakia have been terrible this second half which is great to hear. We must be doing something right.
Well we get to stay in league B. That is a positive considering it looked like we'd finish last only a couple of games ago. Any idea when the next season of this is? I assume 2019, but I really know little about this new format. It's actually a pretty fun tournament. It made me really want to watch all our matches, and a few other nations as well.
Next league phase like this one will be in 2020 after the Euros from my understanding. Our entire 2019 will be traditional qualifying matches for the Euros.
Nations League was definitely a successful endeavor for UEFA, and probably will help us heading into qualifying more than friendlies would have since it helped expedite Jarolim's exit. Silhavy has 3 wins in 4 matches including 2/3 in competitive matches against a solid 2nd tier UEFA teams, the ones we have to beat to make a major tournament. The biggest change has been the collective defensive effort of the team, although I'm hoping we can produce a bit more in attack soon. Feel like we could use a match against a minnow to get this relatively inexperienced team some confidence in the attacking third.
100% agree. We need to sort out our attacks because under Silhavy, we have been very reliant on Schick finishing the few chances he gets.
Silhavy deserves a ton of credit. Considering the state of this team in September and the circumstances he started in, he's done a fantastic job. I agree, there are definitely improvements to be made in the offensive phase like possessing the ball and being more effective when counter attacking. I think this will improve over time though. It's very promising that Schick and Soucek are already becoming our most valuable players. Schick is on another level and Soucek is developing into a fine player. They both could polish some aspects of their game, but it's encouraging that they've taken on a greater role with the national team this past year. I think Celustka has secured himself a starting spot going into next year. Once Suchy returns, that's probably the best pair we can hope for at the moment. This position is still a concern, but these last few games have shown that an organized defensive effort can help hide this issue a bit.
Our Euro qualifying group isn’t terrible. England are obviously the heavy favorites, but the rest of the group seems straight forward. Only other team that I can see posing a threat is Bulgaria. We should comfortably finish 2nd.
This is where I'm still a bit confused by Nations League and Qualifying. Apparently England and Kosovo are guaranteed qualifying playoffs because they won their groups. On paper though this is should be an easy group to reach at least 2nd. We have a streak to maintain since we've never missed a Euros.
The rumored friendly vs Brazil has been confirmed. We will host them 26 March at Eden stadium (or whatever corporate sponsor it has now, I want to say Sinobo).
Can't wait to get killed by Brazil at home. I am in Czech for a month in May. I was hoping some national game might get schedule then since we have a game in June. Maybe a warmup?
There is some talk in media today about Davie Selke, who has played for the German youth national teams possibly representing us at the senior level. His mother is Czech, but he is born and raised in Germany. We've never really recruited international players with Czech ancestry since like the downfall of the Hapsburg empire (Josef Bican), so there is a lot of debate in comment sections/social media. There is no doubt though that he is a player we could use especially for times like now with Krmencik injured.
On one hand, he clearly feels German, but is having trouble breaking into their national team. On the other hand, he is a decent hold up striker and we desperately need depth for that spot. I'd take him. We need more long term options other than Schick.
The team will be announced this week. Honestly, our current selection when considering current form/injuries is quite dire. Not that it really affects our chances against opponents of this caliber. I'm not sure of Vaclik's current status. I think he's our current first choice in goal, but if he's unavailable, then Pavlenka is a safe bet to replace him. Good news for our defence having Suchy back. He and Kalas will certainly start. With Celustka out injured I believe, I'd guess Kudela and Stronati will be the back ups. I'd imagine Silhavy will continue with Dockal, Pavelka, and Soucek in midfield. Darida still isn't getting optimal minutes to start and Barak is still injured I think? I'd like to see Kral or Sacek included in the squad. Jankto presumably starting at left wing and I'd probably opt to start Selassie on the right for the moment. I'd expect the Slavia pair of Zmrhal and Masopust to be called up as well. Schick up front with Skoda and probably Vydra as back ups. I had sort of written off Skoda for the national team, but with Krmencik injured and just our general lack of options, it does make sense to include him.
Schick scored a good goal for Roma tonight which turned out to be the winner against Empoli. He is not yet as full fitness after his last injury but I imagine he will be by the time he joins his national squad.
Considering all the injuries and form issues, I would have kind of liked to see Sadilek be considered. He's getting more and more minutes at PSV yet and the early reviews on his trajectory are good. Glad that Kral got a call, he's looking good. Soucek and Zmrhal are in below-average form the past few matches, the former has enough history to justify his place but the latter is more a sign of how many players have taken a step back this season. I'm almost more interested in Slavia's Europa League run at this point than our national team (and I'm not a Slavia fan), because my expectations are low unless we get some players back on form (or are playing other 2nd tier teams, not Brazil and England).
The initial squad: Nominace Jaroslava Šilhavého pro kvalifikační utkání EURO 2020 s Anglií 🏴 a přátelský zápas s Brazílií 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/rZ88U4vZ17— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) March 12, 2019 I'm not that bothered by the choices as we don't have a lot available and you can put together a decent enough 11 with it (well maybe not against Brazil/England), but I'm a bit bothered by the alternates. Half of the people have done nothing to merit a call up and are too old to be considered prospects. I'd rather (in addition to Sadilek as mentioned) see young up-and-coming players like Sacek, Matousek, even Hlozek...
Yeah, I've noticed Silhavy's reserve lists tend to be unnecessarily extensive. There's probably like eight names from that list who actually warrant consideration. I agree about Sadilek, who is an interesting prospect indeed as is Kral. Admittedly, I haven't seen nearly enough of Kral to say if he's a better midfielder or defender. It'd be nice for the national team if he developed into a CB given the current outlook in that position. I'm looking forward to this international break from the perspective that high-profile matches such as these are few and far for us. Playing at Wembley and then hosting Brazil creates some anticipation, which outside of the Euros is a rarity for us (unless we finally start qualifying for World Cups...). I don't expect a result in either game, but a few good performances would keep the momentum from the end of last year going.
Kral is definitely projecting more as a midfielder with Slavia right now. I think that if Ngadeu's move to Fulham had gone through in time he would have been played in the back more out of necessity, but right now they would rather him link defense and attack. I believe he mostly played CB for the U-21s, but can't recollect for sure, and I still wouldn't mind seeing him at CB for the national team still though, he has skill with the ball that can help relieve pressure on our back line even if his defensive skills are no better than Suchy or Kalas. He would need some higher level CB training though, because when I saw him as a central defender with Teplice he was looked like he was more or less instructed to play one-man version of total football that gave him way to much of a free-role for a defender.
Roster Updates - Vaclik (injury) +Darida +Skoda +Frydek +Kolar The only real surprise is Frydek, who I don't think has done enough to merit a call up. There were some health concerns about Dockal as well as he was out for Sparta's match last weekend, but seems he will be ready.
Have to imagine Pavlenka will start in goal and if Dockal isn't fit, then Darida will replace him. My only questions would be RW and CB. I'd personally prefer Selassie over Vydra. Current form not only favours Selassie, but I think he's better suited for this opposition. Any combination of Suchy/Kalas/Celustka could be in play, but I'd bet on it being the first two. At least Suchy should be a lock anyways.