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After an impressive performance in the group stages, Portugal take on surprise quarterfinalist Czech Republic in the first knockout match of the tournament. The winner of this match will progress to the semifinals with a glimmer of silverware in their sights. Portugal of course, start off as firm favorites with Cristiano Ronaldo having finally joined the party in the last group game. The Czechs showed what they are capable of causing an upset, with wins over Greece and co-hosts Poland. Playing against Portugal will be completely different altogether, and they will have to plan well to contain Ronaldo, who will be terrorizing the left flank.
Form Guide:
Czech Republic
WROCLAW, POLAND – JUNE 16:Petr Cech of Czech Republic clashes with Vaclav Pilar of Czech Republic during the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Czech Republic and Poland at The Municipal Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Apart from the drubbing received against Russia in the firs group match, which they lost 4-1, the Czechs have been impressive. They scored two goals within ten minutes against Greece and went on to win the game 2-1, while they beat Poland 1-0 due to a late goal from Jiracek. Quite unexpectedly, the side led by Peter Cech finished the group stage on top of Group A, beating Greece for pole position. The Czechs will be playing their third Euro quarterfinals, having won their previous two without conceding a goal; one of which came against Portugal in Euro 96.
The attack revolves around the experienced Thomas Rosicky and Milan Baros, though younger players like Petr Jiracek, Vaclav Pilar and Gebre Selassie have made the difference in this tournament. Even though Pert Cech has not had the best of tournaments by his high standards, the captain and custodian of their goal is still among the best in the world and will be keen to deny former Manchester United rival, Ronaldo. Rosicky fitness is a concern for Michal Bilek as the playmaker is suffering from an Achilles problem due to which he missed the Poland game and trained yesterday.
Portugal
KHARKOV, UKRAINE – JUNE 17: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal talks to the media during a press conference after the UEFA EURO 2012 Group B match between Portugal and Netherlands on June 17, 2012 in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)
Portugal looked rather lackluster in their first match against Germany and were unable to recover after going down 1-0 to a Mario Gomez header. The Germans had done a brilliant job containing Ronaldo as Boateng made sure he was pegged down throughout the match. The game against Denmark was markedly a better performance due to the efforts of Nani, Pepe, Coentrao and Postiga. Portugal were up 2-0 until Nicklas Bendtner leveled the scores by scoring two goals for the lively Danes. Once again, Ronaldo’s compass seemed to be pointing in the wrong direction as he missed a few clear cut opportunities but was rescued by a last gasp winner from substitute Varela. Ronaldo had come under a lot of criticism from the fans and media, but all that seemed to change in the next match. Portugal, and Ronaldo, were absolutely dazzling against the Dutch and dismantled them to win 2-1 with a brace from Ronaldo.
After their brilliant performance against the Netherlands, Portugal would be firm favorites to win the match against Czech Republic. This is Portugal’s fifth successive appearance in the quarterfinals of the European Championships though they have never managed to win the tournament. A major advantage for the side is that they don’t have any major fitness or injury related problems and all the members of their preferred starting eleven are expected to play.
Last Five Games:
The last five games of these two sides have yielded almost identical results with two wins, two losses and a draw in the same order. Both have scored six while the Czechs have conceded eight, which is only one more than Portugal.
Czech Republic
Date | Venue | Opponent | Result |
16/6/12 | Wroclaw, Poland | Poland | W 1-0 |
12/6/12 | Wroclaw, Poland | Greece | W 2-1 |
8/6/12 | Wroclaw, Poland | Russia | L 1-4 |
1/6/12 | Prague, Czech Republic | Hungary | L 1-2 |
29/2/12 | Dublin, Ireland | D 1-1 |
Portugal
Date | Venue | Opponent | Result |
17/6/12 | Kharkiv, Ukraine | Netherlands | W 2-1 |
13/6/12 | L’Viv, Ukraine | Denmark | W 3-2 |
9/6/12 | L’Viv, Ukraine | Germany | L 0-1 |
2/6/12 | Lisbon, Portugal | Turkey | L 1-3 |
26/5/12 | Leiria, Portugal | FYROM | D 0-0 |
Head to Head Record:
Matches between these two opponents have been anything but dull and the Czechs have four times while Portugal have three wins along with three draws. The last time they faced each other; Portugal beat the Czechs 3-1, their best performance in this fixture till date. The Czechs will have revenge on their minds, but will know that it wont come easy against Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Year | Venue | Result |
2008 | Geneva | Czech Rep. 1-3 Portugal |
1996 | Birmingham | Czech Rep 1-0 Portugal |
1989 | Lisbon | Draw 0-0 |
1989 | Prague | Czech Rep* 2-1 Portugal |
1985 | Prague | Czech Rep* 1-0 Portugal |
1984 | Czech Rep* 1-2 Portugal | |
1975 | Porto | Draw 1-1 |
1975 | Prague | Czech Rep* 5-0 Portugal |
1965 | Porto | Draw 0-0 |
1965 | Bratislava | Czech Rep* 0-1 Portugal |
*Formerly Czechokoslovakia
Possible Lineups and Formations:
Czech Republic- 4-2-3-1
Cech
Selassie, Sivoc, Kadlec, Limbersky
Hubschman, Plasil
Jiracek, Kolar, Pilar
Baros
The Czechs will play more or less the same starting eleven that played Poland, the only major change being the absence of Rosicky who might not be able to recover in time.
Portugal- 4-3-3
Patricio
Joao Perraria, Alves, Pepe, Contrao
Miereles, Veloso, Moutinho
Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo
Portugal are likely to start with the same players as in the last game. This will be the sixth consecutive time they will be starting with the same eleven.
Prediction:
Cech Republic 1-3 Portugal
Despite the fact that the Czechs have been in good form, Portugal are favorites to win. A big concern for the Czechs is that their defense has been leaking too many goals, having conceded five in three games in the Euro. Portugal has the most potent attack that the Czechs would have faced so far this tournament, and with Ronaldo back in the thick of things, the Czechs are going to have a difficult time at the back. Petr Cech is going to have to pull off a stunning performance in goal, like he did in the Champions League for Chelsea; if they wish to progress to the semis.
