Spain | VS | Czech Republic |
| Date/Time: | Mar25, 2011, 22:00(GMT) |
| Competition: | UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying |
| Live/Repeat: | Live |
| Venue: | Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (Granada) |
Spain vs Czech Republic Match Preview
The World Champions want to leave behind the bitterness of the last four friendly matches at Michal Bílek's expense.
Xavi will be playing his 100th game with the Fury, will he lead Spain towards a fourth consecutive European victory?
Weeks later, Spain failed to defeat Mexico, and even though they returned to victory against Colombia, the team showed a decayed version of itself, inaccurate and harmless.
Czech Repulic, on the other hand, is aware a victory can let them at the doorsteps of the European qualification. Lazio's Libor Kozak and goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik will be playing their first match with the Eastern National Football Team.
Reigning World and European champion Spain prepares to take on a direct rival for the next stage, will they succeed?
Carles Puyol's absence forces Vicente del Bosque to introduce a few modifications on his defensive scheme. Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos is likely to join Gerard Pique as full backs, while Joan Capdevilla and Alvaro Arbeloa lead the attack from the wings.
Bilek is confident he can surprise Spain and claim the three points, thank to Milan Baros' and Tomas Rosicky's massive firepower (Baros has scored 38 goals so far, Rosicky 20). "We must control key players as Xavi or Iniesta.. If we manage to thwart their football, they won't be able to play their game" said Czech Republic's coach.
Two world-class goalkeepers (Iker Casillas and Peter Cech) will be playing a major role in the development of the game. Czech Republic needs to sharpen its attack (three goals scored in three games in the group) without giving up many spaces in the defense. David Villa is one-goal away from leaving Raul Gonzalez behind as Spain's historic top striker.
"I've never seen such a clear favorite in my life" said Arsenal's midfielder Rosicky regarding their rival this week. Can the visitors do anything to stop Spain from securing its ticket to the next stage?
