Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s European Championship clash between Czech Republic and Turkey, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Battling it out for a place in the Euro 2024 knockout phase, Czech Republic and Turkey clash at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion on Wednesday evening.
Both aiming to join Group F winners Portugal in the last 16, the Crescent-Stars must simply avoid defeat to wrap up second place, while their Czech counterparts must win and hope Georgia fail to cause an upset.
Match preview
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The hero of their run to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, Czech Republic again turned to star striker Patrik Schick when in need of inspiration, as he scored a second-half equaliser to deny Georgia a first major tournament victory last weekend.
After losing their opening game to Portugal, the Czechs were in serious trouble when Georges Mikautadze coolly fired home a penalty in first-half stoppage time; however, Schick struck back near the hour mark to net his sixth goal in just seven European Championship appearances.
Though they failed to find a winner, Ivan Hasek‘s side now have their destiny within their own hands heading towards a dramatic Group F finale, which will see three teams scrapping for one certain last-16 spot behind Portugal.
The Czechs can finish second if they beat Turkey and Georgia do not stun the Selecao in Gelsenkirchen – but if both were to win, then goal difference would be required to separate them.
Drawing will almost certainly end Czech Republic’s journey at the group stage, while they will definitely be unable to reach the knockout rounds should they lose.
Hasek’s squad may have arrived in Germany on a run of five straight wins – mostly friendlies – but they have won only four of their last 15 competitive matches ahead of such a high-stakes showdown.
Furthermore, the Euro 1996 runners-up have now taken maximum points from just one of their last eight group games at the European Championship, against Scotland three years ago.
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Turkey, meanwhile, may be more inspired by a look through the history books, as they came out on top in their two previous meetings with Czech Republic at the Euros – both in the final group game.
A spectacular 3-2 comeback win in 2008 was followed by a 2-0 victory eight years later, and by making it three from three on Wednesday, the Crescent-Stars would now book their place in the next round.
In fact, Turkey will be through to the last 16 as group runners-up if they simply avoid defeat in Hamburg, where they are sure to have a huge following – many thousands of Turkish emigrants have settled in Germany over the past 60 years.
Only if they lose and Georgia win will Vincenzo Montella‘s men fail to progress; otherwise, they will become the first Turkey team to reach the knockout phase since a glorious run to the semi-finals in 2008.
That is all despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Portugal last time out, in which a calamitous mix-up between stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and centre-back Samet Akaydin resulted in the latter scoring an awful own goal.
Nonetheless, a 3-1 victory over Georgia in their opener leaves the Crescent-Stars needing just one point to go through – and they have lost only three of their last 16 competitive matches.
Czech Republic European Championship form:
Czech Republic form (all competitions):
Turkey European Championship form:
Turkey form (all competitions):
Team News
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Patrick Schick saved Czech Republic’s blushes against Georgia last week, while becoming his country’s all time top score at the European Championship, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker is a major doubt for Wednesday’s big game.
If required, Mojmir Chytil or Schick’s clubmate Adam Hlozek would most likely fill in, perhaps even being paired as Czech coach Ivan Hasek tries to take the initiative in an almost must-win match.
Little else is expected to change, with West Ham United duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal playing influential roles in central midfield and at right wing-back respectively.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella will hope to have first-choice goalkeeper Mert Gunok back in the fold; having missed the defeat to Portugal with a knee problem, it remains to be seen whether the Besiktas stopper can come straight in for Altay Bayindir.
Irfan Can Kahveci took part in full training and should be available, while Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler could be ready to start after a minor groin injury restricted him to a cameo role on Saturday.
Having been booked for the second time in two games, Abdulkerim Bardakci must now serve a suspension, so Merih Demiral is set to step into Turkey’s back four.
Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Doudera; Barak, Hlozek; Chytil
Turkey possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Muldur, Demiral, Ayhan, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Calhanoglu; Akturkoglu, Guler, Yildiz; Yilmaz
We say: Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey
Despite recording the most shots and highest xG of any team across the first two group games during their draw with Georgia, the Czech Republic managed to score just once.
They cannot afford to be so profligate on Wednesday, when Turkey can afford to counter through a skilful set of forwards, needing only one point to progress; Vincenzo Montella’s men may be dubious at the back, but if their young stars shine brightly they may qualify with a win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.