Belik's Boys Caught In Czech-mate

Panenka in ’76, Poborsky in ’96 and Baros in ’04. The Czechs have given us some of the European Championships most iconic and memorable moments. However, after a crushing defeat against the Russians on the tournaments opening day, and with time now running out for the Golden Generation, it is difficult to see which direction the one –time perennial dark horses are going to take.

The spine of the squad that started against Russia is the same solid and much decorated trio that that formed the basis of the side that came close to winning in Portugal eight years ago. Petr Cech needs no introduction and, a decade after winning his maiden cap, he remains as influential as ever. Tomas Rosicky took over the captains armband upon Pavel Nedveds 2006 retirement, and with it much of the Czechs creative responsibility. Former Liverpool prodigy Milan Baros continues to lead the line, now featuring at his 4^th major tournament with his country.

Jiracek looks promising

Despite the Russians eventual dominance, it was the Czechs who started brightest. In particular, the central pairing of Jaroslav Plasil and Wolfsburg man Petr Jiracek were effective in pinning back Russians Zenit-inspired midfield three. At 26 and earning only his 9^th cap, Jiracek is a relatively late developer in the international scene. Brought in towards the end of the qualifying campaign in a bid to rejuvenate a team weakened by the retirement of many of its established names, he has established himself as one of Michel Belik’s first picks. With his energetic and industrious style, he appears to be a far more natural replacement for Nedved than the diminutive and at times ponderous Rosicky.

While the Czechs strength lies in their energy in central midfield, they were left badly exposed down both flanks, a matter ruthlessly exposed by the marauding Russian fullbacks  Zyryanov and Zhirkov. Michal Kadlec has always been a far more convincing centre back than he is a full back, and with Arshavin and Dzagoev drifting inside at any opportunity, he lacked the tactical discipline to pass them off to his midfielders and was instead continuously caught in no mans land as the Russians got in behind. It was a similar problem for Theodor Selassie on the right had side, who was given a torrid time from the outstanding Dzagoev. While Czech teams off the past could call on the likes of Marek Jankulovski and Tomas Galasek, the current side is sorely lacking the experience and reliability these two offered.

Belik’s half time substitution, were he replaced the ineffectual Rezek for holding midfielder Thoams Hubschman, went some way to addressing the problems the Czechs faced the area between the midfield and defence were Arshavin was finding so much space. A better balance in the side brought more of the ball however, in a fashion that was indicative of their qualifying campaign; there was a lot of huffing and puffing with almost zero penetration. With the exception of Vaclav Pilars well timed run that brought the Czechs goal, there was almost nothing in the way of a killer pass from either Hubschman or the increasingly marginalised Rosicky. The Arsenal man was given the role of supporting Milan Baros, but never got close enough to the striker and lacked the sharpness needed to unlock the Russian defence. It has been a difficult past 2 years for the Arsenal man and despite a late flurry at the tale end of the season, it seems a move a way from London may be the best way to rejuvenate the talented midfielder (it has certainly worked for Arshavin!).

Milan Baros cut a forlorn figure

Milan Baros has always been an enigma of the international game. Not seen on these shores since his unspectacular stint on loan at Portsmouth, his unspectacular club form is a direct contract to his international record, currently standing at a more than impressive 41 goals in 90 appearences. The effective ‘little and large’ partnership with Jan Koller that bore so much fruit is now gone however, as is the seering pace that once made him such a threat. Without Kollers knockdowns and the pace to get in behind defenders, Baros cut a forlorn figure up front on his own on Friday, it is clear he would be far more suited to playing as part of a two. Former Spurs youngster Tomas Pekhart is a good prospect and may well be a thread to Baros’ position after this tournament, however he is still raw and has yet to break his international scoring duck.

The Czech side were naïve, in their approach without the ball and in there execution with it it. 8 years ago, Russia too found themselves in a position were they were struggling on the international stage following the likes of Aleksandr Mostovois’ retirement. Their response back then was to reinvent themelves from a solid, workmanlike side and put their emphasis on bringing through a new breed of raw, untried, but technically gifted players. With the golden generation now coming to an end, the Czechs could do a lot worse than follow their lead.