Switzerland vs Czech Republic preview

Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments

The biggest football tournament in Europe kicks off today with hosts Switzerland taking on the Czech Republic in the city of Basel. While one would say that the Czechs are the favourites given their home advantage, the absence of star playmaker Tomas Rosicky will hit them hard.

Pavel Nedved decided not to come out of retirement, and without him, Nedved and Poborsky, one wonders whether the Czech midfield is the same. And against the Swiss, who tend to be very compact defensively, the killer pass that the likes of a Nedved or Rosicky can create may be required. The Czechs did not live up to their reputation at the 2006 World Cup, making an unceremonious first round exit. Karel Bruckner and his boys will want to show that the team is still capable of competing for the title in the absence of ”Little Mozart “. Jan Koller could be the sole man upfront if Bruckner chooses to go with a 4-5-1. Libor Sionko impressed when the Czechs beat Scotland 3-1 in a friendly, and is pushing for a first team spot. Don’t forget Milan Baros- the top scorer in the last edition of the tournament. In midfield, the likes of David Jarolim, Matejovsky, Plasil and Galasek will look to make up for Rosicky’s absence. Zdenek Popesch is ruled out of this game with a virus, but left back Marek Jankulovski and centreback Tomas Ujfalusi have been proclaimed fit. David Rozenhal should partner Ujfalusi, with Grygera taking the right back spot. Petr Cech will be an imposing presence in goal.

Switzerland need to start this tournament well. They went out of the 2006 World Cup without conceding a goal- very rarely do you get to see something like that happening. Veteran Patrick Mueller should partner Arsenal’s Senderos in defence, and both have their task cut out against the hefty Jan Koller. Tranquillo Barnetta is Switzerland’s Nedved, with his creativity an important factor in the attacking moves of the Swiss. He could play either on the wing or in the centre.Manchester City’s Gelson Fernandes gets an opportunity to showcase his talent on the world stage in the absence of players like Raphael Wicky and Johann Vogel. Alexander Frei, Switzerland’s all time top scorer, will prowl for goals upfront alongside Basel’s Marco Streller.

The last time these two sides met, the Czechs ran out 3-0 winners, but that was in 1999. And with this being the opening game, both teams will want the best possible start. A 1-0 or 2-0 looks likely for the Czechs, with Koller and Plasil/Sionko on the scoresheet.

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