Switzerland - Czech Republic Preview

Two years have passed since Switzerland’s last competitive game. A series of ups and downs in prestigious friendlies and games you regret having watched were Switzerland’s tally in between 2006 and 2008.

The hour of truth is gradually approaching and Switzerland will defy the World’s 6th strongest team, the Czech Republic. However, Kuhn has a 12th Player: the public.

We have to give everything in front of our public. And only after our game with Portugal will we know if it’s been sufficient.

Following yesterday’s 18 pm training session, Kuhn has probably made his decision concerning Patrick Muller: “I want to know what he thinks of his physical condition”.

On today’s clash : “In training we have played with great enthusiasm, commitment and desire,” said Kuhn. “It’s great fun to be with this squad, to prepare for the EURO and to get started. The first match is absolutely vital. It is going to be difficult, we’re aware of that, but we’ll try to play the best football we can and try to win every game.” Kuhn’s preparations have been overshadowed by serious illness to his wife Alice, but he has drawn strength from the support of those around him. “Everyone stands behind me and supports me wherever they can and that gives confidence.”

The other good news concerns Barnetta:
“I played with with continuity and aggressivity. Everything has gone well into going back to the team. I don’t think I’ve lost much of my physical condition. Three days after the clash with Gelson Fernandes I was back to training and one week later I was playing football again. I always believed I could make it.”

Czech Republic
The typical starting 11 holds a 4-5-1 formation that can become a 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1. Their defence can test the best attacks in the world and if you consider that they’ve only conceded 5 goals in the qualifiers, optimism is not given for granted. A Serie A defence (Jankulovski - Milan, Ujfalusi - Fiorentina, Rozenhal - Lazio, Grygera - Juventus) and perhaps the world’s best keeper - Petr Cech - compensate with an attack that is certainly not among the most dangerous in Europe. Much depends on the form of Jan Koller (who hasn’t had an inspiring year with Nuremberg). Plasil and Jarolim can be dangerous on free kicks but do not possess the quality of Rosicky, the great absence on the Czech side.

Possible Starting-11:
Switzerland: 1 Benaglio; 5 Lichtsteiner, 20 Müller, 4 Senderos, 3 Magnin; 19 Behrami, 15 Fernandes, 8 Inler, 16 Barnetta; 9 Frei, 11 Streller.

Czech Republic: 1 Cech; 2 Grygera, 21 Ujfalusi, 22 Rozehnal, 6 Jankulovski; 3 Polak, 4 Galasek; 7 Sionko, 14 Jarolim, 20 Plasil; 9 Koller.

From eurosport.co.uk
Lothar Matthaeus predicts: Switzerland 2-1 Czech Republic

“First of all, there is always some surprise in the opening game at a European Championship. Secondly, Switzerland are the host nation and as such they hold a slight advantage. The team will be raucously cheered on by their fans and a sea of red and white flags is pretty much guaranteed.

In their own country, Switzerland will try to emulate the feat of Germany at the World Cup two years ago, when Juergen Klinsmann’s side benefited from playing at home.

So, despite the Czechs boasting better individual players, home advantage for the Swiss and the togetherness of their team will result in the first surprise of the tournament.”