Czech Republic 2-1 England: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | European Qualifiers 2019/20

The Czech Republic outwitted England 2-1 in a tense affair at the Sinobo Stadium in Prague. The hosts raced off the blocks and immediately attacked down the wings.

However, against the run of play, England went ahead when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area. Harry Kane stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick clinically, handing the visitors the advantage.

Yet, their lead was short-lived as Jakub Brabec restored parity in the ninth minute after a melee off a corner. The hosts created a few more chances in the first half but failed to make the net ripple, meaning that the teams went in level at the break.

The Czechs kept pushing and probing after the restart and saw a few of their shots brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford. However, they ultimately breached the English defensive line five minutes from time when Zdenek Ondrasek calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors tried to salvage a point thereafter but their efforts were in vain as the home side held on for a vital victory at home.

Here is a look at the talking points from the game.

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#5 Czech Republic’s bravery stuns England in the first half

Czech Republic were extremely brave on the ball

A few months ago, the pair had clashed at Wembley and the Three Lions thumped their Czech counterparts 5-0. Thus, when both sides were slated to play out another instalment of a lopsided rivalry, several expected normal service to resume and the visitors to notch a routine victory.

Yet, the hosts took the game to England, rather than according their illustrious rivals a little too much respect, something they were guilty of in the reverse fixture.

Czech Republic began the game in the ascendancy and immediately put the away side under pressure. However, the Three Lions managed to stitch together a substantial offensive move which led to Sterling winning a penalty. Kane converted the resulting spot-kick to nudge England ahead.

However, the hosts hit back almost instantly and continued their dominance throughout the opening 45 minutes.

The Czech Republic were willing to venture forward and outnumber the English defenders in attacking positions. More refreshingly though, they showcased plenty of confidence on the ball and were exemplary in their quick exchange of passes in the middle third.

Additionally, the front quartet regularly interchanged positions, meaning that the visitors’ rear-guard found it hard to track each runner.

And, though England established some sort of order towards the end of the period, there was no denying that the first half was controlled by the hosts.

#4 Mason Mount endures a debut to forget

Mason Mount (R) had a debut to forget

Before the international break, Gareth Southgate made the headlines courtesy his bold yet equally warranted selection of Mason Mount. The youngster had impressed in the early parts of the 2019-20 season and looked capable of making the step up to the international stage.

Subsequently, the midfielder was handed his debut against the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, though, he endured a night to forget, before being hauled off.

While the Englishman looked bright in patches, he was a pale shadow from the player that has carved open Premier League defences for fun this term. In addition, he also failed to see enough of the ball in threatening positions, meaning that he had to either pass backwards or sideways whenever he received possession.

Moreover, he was unable to wriggle out of tight pressing situations, thereby enabling the opposition midfielders to crowd him out and dispossess him.

Encouragingly though, Mount was willing to put in the hard yards defensively and he was on hand to fulfil his off-the-ball duties.

Over the past few weeks, not many footballers have generated as much hype as the youthful Englishman. Yet, rather disappointingly, he failed to deliver on that promise in Prague.

And, while the midfielder would, in all likelihood, enjoy a successful career for England, one probably reckons that he might not look back too fondly at his first encounter for the Three Lions.

#3 England’s alarming lack of attacking quality

England's offensive weapons misfired

England came into the game against the Czech Republic having scored 19 goals in their previous 4 qualifying games, thereby averaging a healthy 4.75 goals per match.

Thus, plenty expected them to turn the screw in Prague and put in another offensive masterclass, a prospect made more realistic considering the quality at their disposal.

However, nothing of that sort materialised and the Three Lions were forced to feed off meagre scraps, meaning that they only managed a solitary goal and 4 shots on target, despite enjoying the majority of the ball.

On numerous occasions, the visitors’ approach play looked static as the midfielders and forwards failed to provide adequate passing options. Though the hosts wonderfully cut out several passing lanes, the lack of movement from England played into the Czechs’ hands.

In addition, Jadon Sancho was quite anonymous throughout the match, in the process, forcing Kieran Trippier to bomb forward to provide width on the right flank. The above enabled the home side to contain the threat on the wings.

And, though Kane enjoyed a superb outing playing as the lone centre forward, those around him failed to come to the party.

Ever since Southgate has been installed at the helm, the Three Lions have seemed to prioritise creativity over calculation, subsequently morphing into a relatively effervescent attacking side.

Yet, on Friday, those ingredients went awry and rather spectacularly at that.

#2 The hosts’ substitutions inspire; the visitors’ perplex

Gareth Southgate made some questionable substitutions

After a breathless first half, both teams were content to spar at the beginning of the second period. Hence, the game proceeded a tad slowly before the hosts started controlling proceedings.

However, as the match wore on, the managers were tasked with shuffling their pack and coming up with suitable alternatives to the tricks they had earlier deployed. And, while one manager distinguished himself, the other didn’t particularly cover himself in glory.

Mount and Sancho weren’t at their best on Friday and were deservedly replaced after the hour mark. However, the choice of substitutes by Southgate left several fans with more than a furrowed brow.

The manager opted for Marcus Rashford, a striker who’s been in wretched form over Tammy Abraham, a forward who’s perhaps the most in-form marksman in the Premier League.

In his time on the pitch, the Manchester United man failed to leave a substantial imprint on the game, thereby making several question the rationale behind his introduction. Southgate though did give Tammy the nod in the 88th minute. However, the Three Lions were already staring down the barrel by then.

In stark contrast, the Czechs’ substitute, Ondrasek, caused a nuisance in the attacking third and also, popped up with the winner. Moreover, the FC Dallas player’s inclusion enabled the hosts to continue with their high-octane, high-energy brand of football.

Thus, through the course of the game, the Czech Republic had swung the tie in their favour courtesy their mid-game changes whereas England were left ruing what could’ve been.

#1 England’s old ailments plague them, yet again

England's old deficiencies resurfaced in Prague

At last year’s World Cup, England exceeded expectations and reached the semi-finals. Consequently, Southgate was looked upon as the manager to bring back the glory days for the football fanatic nation. The Three Lions, post the competition, started promisingly too as they emerged from their UEFA Nations League group.

However, all of that optimism fizzled away on a tough and trying night in Prague, where the Three Lions were completely outplayed and had to leave with their tail between their legs.

Akin to many a time before, England failed to stamp their authority on an encounter where the opposition was willing to keep the ball for long periods and methodically prize out openings.

More worryingly though, the visitors failed to adopt a different mechanism when the Czech Republic started cutting off passing options and pressing the former high up the pitch. And, though there were the odd moments of magic, they were far and few between.

Moreover, the away side looked clueless defending set-pieces, meaning that the above became the hosts’ most potent attacking weapon, at least in the first half.

Over the past few years, England have earned an infamous reputation of being flat-track bullies and a side that explodes in the qualifying phases before imploding.

Unfortunately for them though, those accusations rang quite loud on Friday, especially considering the Czech Republic outclassed England, let alone get the better of them.