It is a do-or-die situation for a spot within the Euro 2024 knockout part, as Türkiye face Czechia at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion on Wednesday.
With aspirations to advance alongside Group F leaders Portugal into the final 16, the Turkish Crescent-Stars have a transparent activity: keep away from defeat to safe second place.
Türkiye are drawing inspiration from its previous successes in opposition to the Czechia as they gear up for a vital Euro 2024 conflict.
The Crescent-Stars have emerged victorious of their two earlier encounters on the Euros, each in ultimate group video games.
Their thrilling 3-2 comeback win in 2008 was adopted by a stable 2-0 victory eight years later.
A 3rd consecutive triumph on Wednesday wouldn’t solely preserve their successful streak but in addition safe their spot within the subsequent spherical.
A draw could be sufficient for Türkiye to advance as group runners-up, a place that ensures a spot within the final 16.
The crew is predicted to have sturdy help in Hamburg, contemplating the numerous Turkish diaspora in Germany over the previous 60 years.
The situation for Türkiye’s elimination is easy: they need to lose whereas Georgia wins.
Otherwise, they may obtain a milestone by changing into the primary Turkish crew to succeed in the knockout part since their memorable run to the semifinals in 2008.
Despite a setback of their final match, a 3-0 defeat to Portugal that includes a regrettable personal objective, Türkiye stay in a positive place.
Their 3-1 victory over Georgia within the opener means they solely want a single level to progress.
Impressively, they’ve misplaced solely three of their final 16 aggressive matches, showcasing their resilience and dedication.
On the opposite aspect, the Czechs should clinch a victory and depend on Georgia failing to create an upset to maintain their hopes alive.
Patrik Schick, the standout performer from their Euro 2020 quarterfinal marketing campaign, as soon as once more proved to be the Czechia’s savior.
His second-half objective secured a vital draw in opposition to Georgia, denying the underdogs their first main match victory final weekend.
Having suffered a gap defeat to Portugal, the Czech crew confronted a frightening activity when Georges Mikautadze transformed a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Schick, nonetheless, stepped up and scored his sixth objective in simply seven European Championship appearances, equalizing close to the hour mark.
Despite their failure to safe a win, Ivan Hasek’s aspect now controls their destiny heading into an exciting Group F finale.
With three groups vying for one sure last-16 spot behind Portugal, the Czechia can safe second place by defeating Türkiye, offered Georgia doesn’t upset Portugal in Gelsenkirchen.
If each Georgia and the Czechia win, objective distinction will decide the result.
A draw would seemingly finish the Czechia’s journey within the group stage, whereas a loss would definitively get rid of them from the knockout rounds.
Despite arriving in Germany on a five-game successful streak, principally in friendlies, Hasek’s squad has gained solely 4 of their final 15 aggressive matches, highlighting the problem they face on this essential showdown.
Furthermore, the Euro 1996 runners-up have struggled in group levels, taking most factors from simply certainly one of their final eight group video games on the European Championship, which was in opposition to Scotland three years in the past.
Patrick Schick’s heroics in opposition to Georgia final week, which additionally noticed him turn into his nation’s all-time high scorer on the European Championship, could also be overshadowed by an damage concern forward of Wednesday’s essential match.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker is a significant doubt for the sport, doubtlessly leaving a big void within the Czechia’s lineup.
In Schick’s absence, Mojmir Chytil or his clubmate Adam Hlozek are seemingly candidates to step in, with Czech coach Ivan Hasek presumably contemplating a partnership between the 2 to bolster the crew’s attacking choices in what is nearly a must-win encounter.
Despite this uncertainty, the core of the crew is predicted to stay unchanged, with the influential duo of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from West Ham United persevering with to play key roles in central midfield and at proper wing-back, respectively.
On the Turkish aspect, supervisor Vincenzo Montella is hopeful of getting first-choice goalkeeper Mert Günok again in motion.
Günok missed the defeat to Portugal because of a knee drawback, and it stays to be seen if he’ll change Altay Bayındır in objective.
There is optimistic news concerning Irfan Can Kahveci, who participated in full coaching and is predicted to be obtainable.
Real Madrid’s younger expertise, Arda Güler, who was restricted to a cameo position because of a minor groin damage, is also prepared to start out, including depth to Türkiye’s attacking choices.
However, Türkiye will probably be with out Abdülkerim Bardakçı, who picked up his second yellow card in as many video games and is suspended for this match.
Merih Demiral is more likely to step into the again 4 in Bardakçı’s absence, aiming to supply stability and solidity to the Turkish protection.
Source: www.dailysabah.com