Rosicky doubtful for Poland decider
Reuters - Tuesday 12 June 2012, 19:40
Czech Republic captain
Tomas Rosicky is a doubt for their final Group A game against
Poland on Saturday with an Achilles injury, said coach Michal
Bilek after their 2-1 win over Greece.
Playmaker Rosicky's precise passing and ability to raise the
game's tempo helped the Czechs take an early two-goal lead
against Greece on Tuesday but he had to come off at halftime.
"We will see tomorrow," Bilek said of Rosicky, who missed
the Czechs final two warm-up games with a calf injury.
"It was his Achilles heel but we hope he is fit for the
third match because he is our key player."
The Czechs were a different team in the second half without
their skipper and failed to exert the pressure that saw them
score twice in the first six minutes before hanging on to win.
Bilek also bemoaned Petr Cech's blunder that led to the
Greek goal but said his team responded the way he wanted after a
crushing 4-1 defeat by the Russians in their opener.
"There is not one player on the team I would not praise,"
Bilek said. "We wanted to attack even more but it was difficult
when Rosicky left."
The Czechs brought in Tomas Hubschman as a defensive
midfielder for Petr Jiracek who moved to the right wing - a
decision that paid off almost immediately as the pair combined
for the first goal.
Bilek said his decision to modify the line-up was an attempt
to hold more possession than the team did against the Russians
and to play tighter in defence.
"In this match we wanted to close the defence," Bilek said.
"That is why Jiracek played in a position that is not usual for
him. He performed very well and was making runs along the line
and really getting in to the game."