Scolari set to stick with flair approach

Jun 11 2008

PORTUGAL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is adamant his team will not change their tactics to counter the Czech Republic’s expected physical approach in today’s Group A clash in Geneva.

The winner of the match at the Stade de Geneve will secure their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, with both teams having claimed three points from their opening games.

It promises to be a contrast in styles, with the flair and brio of the Portuguese coming up against the aggressive and direct approach of the Czechs.

Scolari respects the ability of Karel Bruckner’s side, but insists his team will play as they always do as they look to become the first country to qualify for the knockout stages.

"We have our own style, we won’t change," he said. "We know they have specific strong points, but we have to have faith in our own technical qualities. And sometimes the best form of defence is attack.

"We are working on a few specific things. We have looked at a few videos, examined certain players for set-pieces.

"And we need to make sure we are closer to our opponents because of the long balls they send to their forwards.

"But my players are very motivated and focused for this match."

Scolari revealed his starting XI will be the same team that eased to a 2-0 win over Turkey on Saturday.

Portugal were impressive that evening, Pepe and Raul Meireles scoring the goals in the second half, and Scolari has called on his players to maintain their focus.

"There is no use thinking about the first match – if we don’t beat the Czech Republic, it will be all or nothing in our last match (against Switzerland)," said the former Brazil coach.

"What I fear about the Czech Republic is their history, their tradition, and I think it will be a very even match."

Captain Nuno Gomes believes his side’s second outing will be step up from their opener against Turkey.

"We saw a little bit of their (1- 0) win against Switzerland, and we know they have some very good and strong players," said the Benfica striker.

"All four of their defenders play in Italy and are experienced players, so overall I think they are stronger than Turkey.

"I think it’s the most important match we will have in the group."

Giant striker Jan Koller should again be the Czech Republic’s chief offensive weapon, but Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho is confident he and centre-back partner Pepe can nullify the forward’s threat.

"It will be very difficult for both of us," the Chelsea player predicted. If he is very strong and tall, but we have other characteristics, like pace.

"We think we have the weapons to cope with Koller."

Czech coach Bruckner wants his side to show more creative guile against the Portuguese than they mustered in their narrow win over Switzerland.

Substitute Vaclav Sverkos secured the first three points of the tournament for the Czechs with a goal 19 minutes from time in the curtain-raiser against the co-hosts in Basle on Saturday.

"We have done a thorough analysis of the game," said Bruckner. "We think we were not creative enough, especially in attack. The last 10 minutes were rather problematic as well. We should have kept the ball under control for longer.

"In defence, we were quite satisfied and the result was quite satisfactory as well."

Based at their favourite training camp in the mountain retreat of Seefeld in western Austria, the Czechs’ two remaining pool matches are both over 500 kilometres away at the Stade de Geneve.

Having completed the 65-minute flight today, Bruckner is urging his team to make the trip a worthwhile one by doubling their points tally, but knows Portugal pose a major threat.

"The Portuguese are very easy to read," he said. "They are excellent, no doubt about that.

"However, we will try to play our game. We are not as strong in attack as Portugal but that does not mean we are a weaker team.

"I think Portugal are the favourites but there is no clear winner for tomorrow’s match.

"We had more time to prepare for the match against Switzerland. For this match, we have had only two or three days so we are a bit under time-pressure."

FC Copenhagen right-back Zdenek Pospech missed the opening game due to flu but has since returned to training, meaning Bruckner has his full squad available.