The era of Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros, Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech in the Czech Republic team is long gone. And the great international successes such as European Championship runners-up in 1996 against Germany or the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 are also in the past. There has been a change of generations over recent years in the 'Reprezentace' (The Team). Werkself striker Patrik Schick is happy with the direction the team is taking: "When those players stopped playing for the national team, the lads were not yet ready for the task at hand. They just weren't experienced enough. But after four years of working together each and everyone has developed. Now we've got good quality in the team," the 25-year-old explained.
The Czechs will have to be on top of their game in every match as, after the opening match against Scotland, the Czech Republic face two genuine heavyweights in World Cup runners-up Croatia and World Cup semi-finalists England. However, Schick believes in his team's own abilities: "Of course, we’re in a difficult group but we played England in the qualifiers and beat them 2-1. So we have the experience of overcoming a strong team within top players."
The Prague-born striker is positive about the organisation and team spirit in the Czech Republic side. He believes it's very difficult to break down the Silhavy team due to the "many workers on the pitch." Schick is looking to help out the team with the abilities that make him stand out: "I want to score as many goals as possible to support the team on the pitch. Of course, I'd like to go through this difficult group with my team. If we do that then we'll all be happy," Schick declared with ambition.
With all the anticipation for the international tournament, the whole thing is a bit of a downer for Patrik Schick. A European Championship away from the times of the pandemic would probably have been better for the supporters of the 'Reprezentace' in terms of following their team across Europe. "I wish it were possible for every spectator to come to Euro 2020. Even if it would be 90% English and only 10% Czechs in the stadium, I would have been very happy with that. We play for the people, the fans," the striker said with regret. Nevertheless, Schick wants to be able to help fans celebrate at home in front of the TV...
HERE is the Euro 2020 interview with Aleksandar Dragovic.
HERE is the Euro 2020 interview with Lukas Hradecky.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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