HomeUEFA EuroTHE CZECH NIGHT

THE CZECH NIGHT

By Ritvik Malhotra

Published on:

Updated on:
47
5 things learned czech netherlands euro 2020

It was an unforgettable night in Budapest for Czech Republic as they defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the Euro 2020 Round of 16 encounter. Poor tactics from the Dutch combined with a heartfelt performance from the Czech Republic propels them to the quarter-finals against Denmark.

 

 

Czech Republic came onto the pitch after an inconsistent group phase as they lost their final matchup against England and finished as the third best side in Group D. While Netherlands were one of the three teams to earn all the nine points and had the highest odds of winning the match today. But the Czech Republic spoiled the Dutch party. FootTheBall brings you 5 things we learned from Netherlands vs Czech Republic in the Round of 16 of Euro 2020.

 

1. THE SHOCK OF THE TOURNAMENT

Czech Republic have truly announced themselves in the tournament after their historic win over the Netherlands. With their strong performance today, not only have they eliminated a much stronger side in Netherlands, but they have justified the fact that favourites is only a tag.

They came into this match as major underdogs but with the tenacity in defence and heart in offence, Czech have smashed all the odds piled up against them. They controlled the game with crisp passing in the second half and took the full advantage of Netherlands being one man down.

 

 

The Czech Republic might not be talented but are reliable and reaping the benefits of having a competitive club in their country and Europe. Jindrich Trpisovsky’s Slavia Prague, who also reached the quarter-finals in the Europa League, has laid the foundations for the national team in terms of players and tactical idea. It is being shown on the pitch.

Great individual performances combined with a lot of heart handed Czech Republic the victory and a ticket to the quarter-finals.

 

 

2. A CONGESTED FIRST HALF 

There was nothing to separate both teams in an extremely tight first half with each side coming extremely close on several occasions to find the back of the net.

Both the teams were looking to pounce on counter attacks but struggled to find the final pass to hand someone the momentum going into the second half. Attackers on each side were playing on the shoulders of the opposing defenders with their teammates trying to feed them through lofted or line breaking passes, but the attackers were unable to pounce on any opportunity.

 

 

The Dutch and Czechs each had their moments where they were on the verge of taking the lead in this match, but neither team could find the finishing touch. The attackers’ runs were marked extremely well by the centre backs on both sides and were able to keep them in their pockets.

The Netherlands had more clear opportunities, set pieces, and surges forward, but the Czech Republic’s organised defensive shape and overall strong play prevented the Dutch from establishing their control over the game.

 

3. THE BIG DECISION

Arguably the biggest moment of the match came in the 55th minute when referee Sergei Karasev sent off the defensive marshal for Netherlands, Matthijs de Ligt after handling the ball just outside the Dutch’s penalty box. After originally penalising him with a yellow card, a VAR check forced the referee to send the defender off.

 

 

The decision clearly handed the momentum of the game in Czech Republic’s hand as just after 13 minutes after the red card, they found the back of the net after Tomas Holes bullet header forged his nation ahead in the match. The red card drained the energy out the Dutch players and looked clumsy on the ball for the rest of the match.

 

 

And Czech Republic only took advantage of their depleted opponents, as Schick found the back of the net to put the game to bed and knock Netherlands out of Euro 2020.

 

4. PALE TACTICS FROM FRANK DE BOER

Critics were already there before the commencement of the tournament surrounding the tactics that Frank de Boer has utilized and those critics only got justified after this loss.

An un-Dutch Dutch team. The plane with a banner asking for a 4•3•3 was not just arrogance from fans, but a feeling of detachment with the side’s identity. It was not only the formation; De Boer didn’t put much emphasis on short combinations either. As the Czech Republic man-marked to press and nullified the Netherlands’ midfield, De Boer, as in previous games, again made the choice to be pragmatic and go long.

 

 

The Czechs truly pounced on the weaknesses of the Dutch and looked the much stronger team today. Tomas Soles had the Dutch midfield in his pockets, preventing them from generating any chances for their attackers and had a dream performance today, as he decided the match with his goal and an assist on the second. From the red card to the dull football, it was a typical implosion.

 

5. SCHICK STRIKES YET AGAIN

Patrick Schick was the man for his nation in the group stages, with all of Czech Republic’s goals coming from his boots. And once again he was the go-to man for them as he found the back of the net in the 80th minute to take his Euro 2020 goal tally to four goals.

 

 

The striker has been a predator in attack and has truly raised his stock and might have caught the attention of some big clubs in Europe. Schick brought his hot form from the group stages into this match and acted as a nightmare for the opposing defence.

He’ll be hoping to hold on to his form and replicate it in the quarter-finals as well when his nation takes on Denmark.

 

Ritvik Malhotra

also read

©2024-2025 foottheball. all rights reserved.
From the stable of Buffalo Soldiers