The confrontation in Prague will be between a side who are still embattled and one who are still triumphant.
The Czech Republic are in a strong position to finish second in Group I, but the media and supporters continue to surround the team with an air of disgruntlement. Against Spain, they will host a side who have grown so accustomed to glory that it has become second-nature.
If Michal Bilek’s team win tomorrow, they will effectively secure a play-off place and render Scotland’s final two matches as an irrelevance. Yet since winning Euro 2008, Spain have lost only twice in 28 competitive matches – to the USA in the Confederations Cup semi-finals, and to Switzerland in the group stages of the 2010 World Cup, which they went on to win. Even in friendlies, the attitude is that the cycle of victories, of demanding and applying the very best of themselves, must be maintained, and they have lost only three out of 15 in the same spell.
This is a Spanish team that considers winning a habit that must be preserved. In naming his squad for their final two Group I matches, the second being against Scotland in Alicante on Tuesday, Vicente del Bosque picked the best available players and vowed, ominously, that “the only fair thing to do is to pick our best side. We will try to win both games”.
For the Czechs, two points ahead of Scotland, that means another test of their spirit and mentality. Even after drawing 2-2 at Hampden last month, a result which handed them the initiative in the race to finish second, then beating Ukraine 4-0 in a friendly, there was a sense of unease around the squad.
Bilek continues to attract criticism, so that the return to fitness of Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky in time for their final two matches (they face Lithuania on Tuesday) has not been enough to raise a mood of optimism, while Jaroslav Plasil, who scored against Scotland, and Jan Rezek will be suspended for the game against Spain. The Czechs are still expected to qualify, but also to then struggle in the play-offs. “It has become really tiresome, all this negativity,” said Rosicky. “We are very well positioned to qualify now and I know this team has the strength to get to the play-off place.”
While the Czechs are seeking to purge themselves of a feeling of gloom, it is complacency that is the fear of Spain, with Del Bosque refusing to experiment needlessly with his line-up. He is concerned about his defensive options, with Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa both barely featuring for Real Madrid this season. The only uncapped player in the squad is Jordi Alba, the Valencia defender.
Yet other areas are strengthened by the competition for places, with Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente the back-ups to David Villa in attack. There is such depth to the midfield options that the injured Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas will barely be missed, since a central three of Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets can still be fielded. Juan Mata and David Silva have both impressed this season, for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, but neither is guaranteed a starting place and have something to prove if selected.
It is Spain’s imperiousness that the Czechs, then Scotland, must overcome. It has become ingrained, the feeling that their football deserves its moments of triumph, but they are also well-drilled on the training ground by Del Bosque, who is both a strategist and a motivator. He leaves nothing to chance – analysing teams with a meticulous eye – which is why so few opponents have found the means to disrupt Spain’s run of success.
“It’s a squad that’s relatively stable, relatively young,’” said Del Bosque. “Our idea is to give the best account of ourselves. Although we have qualified, Czech Republic and Scotland are fighting for their qualification so we will try to perform as competitively as possible.”
That is both a warning to Scotland, and their only hope. Spain should overcome the Czech Republic, but then also do the same to Craig Levein’s side.
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