0-0 FT. If this doesn’t signal the end of Silhavy, then I’ve lost all hope. Better to sack him now while we still have time before the Euros. He’s actually lost his god damn mind making his first substitutions at the 70th minute mark and gives our best in form player at the moment (Cerny) just ONE minute of playing time this international break. Starting with five defenders (basically six with Soucek out there) against Moldova says it all. He literally just sat there like a clueless idiot and seemed genuinely content with a draw. I knew people were way overreacting after that Poland result. We didn’t even play that well collectively and were bailed out by an awful Polish performance. Not sure how you can start a rebuild with a manager who’s approaching five years in charge..
Yeah, I missed the match but it was never a good sign when we started a press/counter lineup against a team that was content to defend themselves... I guess kudos to our atrocious passing for at least trying to get Moldova to attack us. Terrible formation and not playing Cerny made no sense.
Our third Euro 2024 qualifier takes place this afternoon away to Faroe Islands. After what was a very positive squad announcement in March, this one is more Silhavy-like with some pretty terrible call ups in Jugas, Stronati, Koubek, and Zmrhal. The notable squad omission was Barak who was left out due to “behavioural” issues… which it’s been speculated he’s questioned lineup decisions and tactics at past meetings. Honestly, I can’t even blame Barak at this point (probably not the only player who feels this way). The longer Silhavy is in charge, the more potential for friction like this. Sure as hell won’t be benching Cerny this time around who’s coming off an insane season at Twente with a transfer to Wolfsburg already in the works. I almost want us to lose today just to get a new manager.
Pavlenka - Coufal, Holes, Krejci, Jurasek - Soucek, Kral - Cerny, Hlozek, Jurecka - Kuchta Another return to the 4-2-3-1. Good call here and a very offensive lineup all around with essentially three forwards on the field. Look to our wingers to be the driving force today as both are in incredible form. Two midfielders have now become full time defenders for both club and country, though it’s an easy decision to make with Brabec and Zima short of match fitness after recent injuries.
I like the line up, hopefully can build some goal scoring confidence against a weaker opponent. Cerny finally getting the start he had earned by the last international break
2-0 at half after goals from Krejci and Cerny. A comfortable first half, though nothing spectacular overall. Our attacking play is still very predictable and lacklustre for the most part. I believe Faroe Islands don’t even have an attempt registered yet.
Considering the lineup, this is a really dull performance. It's very similar to Moldova just an even smaller opponent.
Faroe islands haven't even put a wild off target shot out there and it's almost over. Not a great performance, but comfortable in the end.
Nice to know we’d have a perfect record if Cerny played in Moldova. Otherwise, a pretty average performance I thought. I have to say, Hlozek continues to underwhelm in the national team.
I guess it worked though, as we are on our way to a commanding win (currently 4-1 late in the 2nd half). Hard for me to comment much since I didn't have video for this.
Moldova actually pulled off an upset against Poland, which makes the group essentially ours to lose with Albania now looking like the key opponent.
A successful break without question. Seven goals from six different goal-scorers is certainly positive. My only complaint as usual is how a few players (Zmrhal, Jugas, etc.) somehow haven’t been phased out entirely and remain in the picture. Looking ahead, I do like the potential make up of our team. Our defence (more so offence really) is upgraded with Krejci and Jurasek now on the scene. Midfield remains solid enough, although we seriously need to be prepared to play without Soucek at some point.. Plus, a (healthy) attacking trio of Hlozek - Schick - Cerny will be very, very good. We finally seem to have forward depth now with Kuchta, Cvancara, and Chytil, so playing without Schick isn’t as detrimental as it once was. However, as is the case with our U-21 team, our biggest weakness remains at manager.
Our U-21s beat Germany 2-1 and now only need a point against Israel to advance to the knockouts. Israel have looked decent in their prior matches too, so this is far from a walkthrough, but still a good position to be in. A lot of praise for Martin Vitik's performance especially, and that is definitely a young player that we would really want to reach his potential.
U-21s are tied 0-0 with about 10 minutes remaining. First half by all accounts was very slow, Israel perhaps knowing that they too can advance (as Germany are behind against England) have gone for it more in the 2nd half and we have been happy to occasionally counter.
And Israel have scored, so now about 10 minutes to equalize if we can acclimate to not playing for a draw. Doesn't look likely, hard to go from 82 minutes of being set up to do nothing into full attack.
FT 1-0 win for Israel and our tournament ends. We started to show a pulse after stoppage time, but too negative for too much of the match.
Looking back in this thread and can’t believe Suchoparek was given a contract extension prior to that tournament…
Silhavy will announce our squad for the upcoming international break this week. We play Albania at home in a qualifier and then travel to Budapest to face Hungary in a friendly. So far the only confirmed injury absences that I’m aware of are Jurasek (ankle sprain - out a month or so) and once again, Schick (aiming to return in October). Also, not exactly sure where Barak stands with management and if that issue has been resolved. Hopefully a similar squad to the one he announced back in March with priority given to younger players.
Představujeme vám nominaci pro nadcházející kvalifikační duel Albánii a přípravný zápas v Maďarsku. 🇨🇿🥳#ceskarepreVíce v článku 👉 https://t.co/gTl3B34GT8 pic.twitter.com/ctohCGpQRj— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) August 29, 2023 Not a fan of this selection really, Vitik would be a way better pick than most of our defenders, and there some very out of form players (some that aren't established enough to be called in any way like Chytil and Jurecka). Kovar also should be on the roster probably.
Expected for the most part, but how can you possibly pick Koubek and Stronati over Kovar and Vitik?? Terrible from Silhavy and you know his rational behind calling up Stronati is that he plays his club football in Hungary, one of our opponents, so obviously deserves to play in that meaningless friendly! I’d also rather take Matej Jurasek or even Sulc instead of Jurecka for a different profile all together. Back to Vitik, I’m honestly more comfortable with him starting instead of Krejci and Zima right now, so that’s saying something.. And my god the reserve list is a travesty once again.
One squad change has been made - Doudera withdrawn and is replaced by Masopust. Hopefully that spot will be for Gabriel soon enough. I’m curious if we go with a back four or three formation. With Jurasek out, I’d probably set up with a 3-4-3 and start Provod at left wingback who’s been tested there for Slavia recently.
Presumably Soucek is cleared to play, I know he left a match recently with a concussion which is especially concerning for someone that wins so many aerial duels.