What do we all think will happen tonight? The Czechs have an outstanding player in Pilar who has two goals, and the energetic Jiracek has also scored twice. However their star players is Arsenalâs Rosicky who has been injured and even if he starts may not be fully fit. His absence would be a huge blow to the Czechs. The Czechsâ defence was torn apart when they lost 4-1 to Russia and they will surely try to âpark the busâ esp early on tonight. They will try to nick a goal on the counter attack, from a set play, or from exploiting the Portuguese left side defensive weakness. Portugal held Germany for 70 mins in the opening game, and have gone on to beat Denmark 3-2, and Holland 2-1. That form reads a lot better than that of the Czechs. Portugal do have two top class attacking players in Ronaldo and Nani, and with Roanldo having scored twice against Holland he will be a mega threat to the Czechs tonight. If Portugal had a good CF they would be a much better team! However although Portugalâs strength is Ronaldo he is also a source of weakness as he rarely tracks back so the opposing RB can get forward and cause real problems. So tonight expect Czech RB Selassie to get bomb forward and link up with Jiracek. IN SUM - Put simply Portugal are the better side, with the better form and in Nani and esp Ronaldo they have key players who can ensure they reach the SFs.
The group stage was exciting, but its about to get better! And we are still in it, woo hoo! I fancy Portugal tonight, but a very closely fought game.
Portugal favourites obviously, Czech's very lucky to get this far, but I fancy the impressive Gebre Selassie to have some joy down the right with Ronaldo not tracking back, and Coentrão doesn't like to defend either. Edit: Just read to the end of the original post Since I've added much less value to this thread than I thought, here's a link to a good tactical preview of the match that goes much further: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/06/21/czech-republic-v-portugal-preview/
I fancy Czech's to take Portugal all the way, pens maybe, but Portugal will probably win, but I will be supporting Czech's tonight. Come on Czech's !!!!!!!!!!
All good things have to come to an end, but don't deny that Portugal deserve it. Cech has been fantastic but no keeper can save them all (except SKD v Leeds).
Let's hope that sensible decision by Webb at the end not to book the Czech player doesn't come back to haunt him. He could be marked down for that.
