Czech Republic – Albania

Euro 2024 Qualifiers Round 5

Prague, September 7, 20:45 CET

The players of the Czech Republic are playing with more and more confidence - behind them are excellent results ahead of the match against Albania on Thursday.

For the hosts, the match is extremely important and without the right to a setback. Currently, the Czechs are at the top of the table and unbeaten after four rounds of the EURO 2024 Qualifiers group stage. On the other hand, Albania has six points.

First of all, the Czechs want to continue the series of excellent results achieved in the spring. They were particularly impressive in the victory over Montenegro away from home 4:1, in the match played on June 20. Previously, also away, the ever-improving Faroe Islands team was defeated 3:0.

In as many as seven of the last eight matches played by Czech Republic players, at least three goals were scored. An excellent example of how far this national team has progressed and how good they are, is their 3:1 victory over Poland, achieved in March. The match with Albania is a great chance for this team to prove how good they are in attack - and to see at least three goals in this game.

Albania also had a good run of matches in June, with wins over Moldova and the Faroe Islands – who are, however, much worse teams than the Czech Republic. However, Albania is not a team that approaches with a dominant defensive approach in such visits. They will respond to the host with a solid and fierce game, and it is almost certain that we will already see a large number of shots and scoring chances in the opening part of the game.

The problem for the Czechs is the injury to striker Patrick Schick, who will not recover until October. The team will be led by the captain, excellent West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek. Fiorentina's Antonin Barak is also out of the squad for this match due to injury. However, it is expected that the game of the Czech Republic will not suffer because of these problems - this national team is recognizable for their dominant passing game. An excellent candidate for a place in the attack is Mojmir Chytil from Slavia Prague.

Central defenders in Albania team, Empoli's Berisha and Lazio's Hysaj will be greatly tested in this match. The great talent, striker Armando Broja, is yet to return from a serious injury for Chelsea. He will almost certainly be replaced by the experienced Sokol Cilleshi, and Albania has the assets to threaten for at least one scored goal in the match.

Overall, a fierce and open fight is expected in this match, in which both teams will play in a proactive 4-2-3-1 system. Both of them believe in qualifying for EURO 2024, however – the hosts have a clear advantage. First of all, when it comes to their long-term proven quality in attacking maneuvers.