Serbia vs. Czech Republic: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
The Under-21 European Championships returns for a second round already—aren't we spoiled? The Czech Republic can't afford to lose this match after dropping their opener, but they face a Serbia side who drew with tournament favourites Germany, looking the better side in the process.
What do Jakub Dovalil's men have left in the tank?
The Details
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Group A
Venue: Stadion Letna, Prague
Date: June 20, 2015
Time: 5 p.m. BST
TV and Live Stream: BT Sport 1 & HD (UK) / UEFA.tv live stream
Serbia Preview
"If someone offered us 1-1 before the match, we probably would have accepted it," admitted Mladen Dodic to UEFA.com following his side's draw with die Deutsche on Wednesday.
Serbia are far weaker than Germany on paper but out-played them in their opening match and looked good value for three points; Filip Djuricic took a lovely chance early on, and Milos Jojic missed by a hair's breadth later to win it.
The team spirit is strong, and despite losing key players ahead of the tournament, they've gelled superbly as a unit. The 4-2-3-1 still has key components in place, with star performers at centre-back, right-back, defensive midfield and attacking midfield against die Deutsche.
It's difficult to foresee any changes for Dodic to make, unless they're injury-enforced. Luka Milunovic, who came off the bench in the first game, could perhaps start ahead of Slavoljub Srnic, but otherwise expect a settled XI.
Czech Republic Preview
It all started so well for the Czechs, as Pavel Kaderabek shuttled forward, cut inside and let loose a stinging left-footed effort that beat the goalkeeper. 1-0 to the hosts, party on.
But eventually their lack of quality caught up with them, and the intense game they played in the first 45 minutes dropped off. Dovalil must now pick up a side who gave their all and still lost in the opener, and he needs to spark belief in them ahead of a tie against a side who looked even better than Denmark on Wednesday.
Tomas Kalas and Vaclav Kadlec are certain to come into the XI after serving one-game suspensions, with the former taking up a spot in central defence and the latter as a support striker behind Jan Kliment.
Jan Baranek is doubtful with a rib complaint, while Tomas Prikryl and Martin Frydek could also face the chop. We're predicting a shift from 4-1-4-1 to 4-4-1-1; the Czechs have to win.
Where The Game Will Be Won
The obvious threat from the Czechs is Kaderabek surging forward. Dovalil organised his team in the opener to make room for his bursts from right-back, shifting the right-winger inside and the central midfielder across to cover the gap.
Longer diagonal passes from the back into Kaderabek's path will be Plan A for the hosts, and Serbia must reassign part of their own midfield to deal with it or else suffer the same fate Denmark did.
Serbia were the best of both worlds against Germany, looking strong in possession with Djuricic slinking between the lines, but also potent on the counter with Jojic hitting the channels. Jakub Brabec, the right centre-back against Denmark, will switch to the left to make room for Kalas; it will be intriguing to see how he adjusts, and how quickly, because Jojic won't give him a moment's rest.
Prediction
It's never fun to see the hosts dip out early, but Serbia look the far stronger outfit who are capable of controlling the game far better—based on the openers, that is.
The Czechs have Kalas and Kadlec, two excellent players at this level, to bring in, but Serbia will tire this team out with possession, then strike when the iron is hot. It'll be too much to handle.
Serbia 2-1 Czech Republic
