The resilience of the Czech Republic
Ahead of UEFA Euro 2012, the Czechs promised to play attacking football. This is what they did on Friday night against Russia but things did not work out as planned.
Surprisingly, it was the Czechs who controlled the game during the first 10 minutes. Gebre Selassie was given too much freedom to run in the right wing. However, Russia took the lead against the run of play. Dzagoev sent the ball home after it rebounded off the right post. Petr Cech could surely have done better.
Instead of toning things down on the offensive to rectify the backline, the Czech Republic pressed on in search of an equalizer. Sadly, they soon suffered another slap in the face. The Czechs, who cannot boast of any top class striker in their roster, were punished for going all out on the attack so early in the game. The holes at the back left Chelsea’s Petr Cech helpless while Russia cruised into their rhythm.
Being 2-0 down, the idea for the Czech Republic was not to limit the damage by packing men in defence but to find a way back by scoring. This shaped the game into an open one but Russia’s goal line remained untouched at half-time.
The difference between both teams was the defending. Unlike the Czech Republic, the Russians always looked threatening in the last third of the pitch with skipper Andrei Arshavin at the centre of most moves on the break.
However, Vaclav Pilar finally got the better of Russia’s backline to reduce the deficit with 40 more minutes left to play. The youngster kept his balance, ran past goalkeeper Malafeev and smartly drove the ball into the empty net. Things got tight between both teams until the final 20 minutes when everything went wrong again for the Czechs...
How unstoppable Russia taught a lesson to Petr Cech and co.
Russia took some time to get into the game but when Dzagoev broke the deadlock after 15 minutes, the Group A favourites instantly grew in confidence. A few moments after going 1-0 up, Dzagoev was played through by Alexander Kerzhakov. He was left in a one-on-one battle with the Czech Republic’s goalkeeper. That was a golden chance to make it 2-0 but the attacker worryingly misfired his shot at the disbelief of Russian supporters in the stand.
When another opportunity fell to Russia midway through the first period, Shirokov did not miss it. Throughout the game, the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts created several chances as they greatly benefited from the Czechs’ attacking approach.
Striker Alexander Kerzhakov could vie for the flop of the match award with his stunning misses in front of goal. Had he been in top form, he might have snatched a hat-trick on the night. His poor performance, especially in the second period, nearly cost Russia. Anxiety started to settle among the entire team when the score line was 2-1.
However, another goal from Dzagoev and one from substitute Pavlyuchenko inside the 79th and 82nd minutes respectively rescued Russia from a possible disappointment.
With this emphatic victory, count on the Russians to excel further at UEFA Euro 2012. Meanwhile, Michal Bilek has one too many problems to solve and questions to answer ahead of the Czech Republic's second match. His tactical choices seem to prove that he made a wrong analysis of Advocaat’s Russian team.
For video highlights of this match, check our Russia vs Czech Republic page. The Russians could secure quarter-final tickets on Tuesday if they beat co-hosts Poland. The Czechs must avoid defeat against Greece at all cost to remain in contention for the next round.
You can have repeat and live streaming info of each UEFA Euro 2012 game on our UEFA Euro 2012 page.
June 12, 2012: Greece vs Czech Republic
June 12, 2012: Poland vs Russia
