After losing their opener to Portugal and drawing their second game against Georgia, the Czech Republic will need to pick up at least a point against Turkey to give themselves any chance of progressing from Group F in Euro 2024. Failure to win will see them end a group stage without a victory for only the second time in their Euros history, something which first happened in 2016 when they also played Turkey in their final group game.
The Czechs lost that match 2-0 in Lens eight years ago and went down 2-1 against Turkey in the group stage of Euro 2008 as well! In fact, they have won just two of the last eight H2Hs (D1, L5), but with all the other groups concluded by the time this game gets underway on Wednesday, Ivan Hašek’s side should at least have clarity regarding what’s required to qualify as one of the best third-placed finishers.
That could also be the route that Turkey take through to the knockout rounds, although with three points on the board already, hopes will be high for a top-two finish. After failing to win five games in a row prior to the tournament (D2, L3), that would represent an excellent return for the Crescent-Stars, particularly as they failed to make it out of the group in each of the last two Euros.
A convincing 3-1 win over Georgia in their first match sparked hopes of Turkey emulating the class of 2008 who went all the way to the semi-finals but they were brought back down to earth by Portugal who ran out easy 3-0 winners on Saturday. They have now failed to score more than one goal in six of their last seven games and that will surely be on the mind of coach Vincenzo Montella, who knows his side only need a point here to secure a top two finish.
Players to watch: With in-form striker Patrick Schick an injury doubt, Mojmír Chytil is in line for his first start of the tournament. The Czech forward has scored six times from his previous seven international starts with his side winning the three times he has found the net. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu got Turkey’s winner in the last H2H and the midfielder is one of only five players to score for the country across their six games in 2024.
Hot streak: Czech Republic have scored at least one second-half goal in each of their last nine games.
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