Switzerland versus Czech Republic– Under 21 European Championship semi finals: Second half review (Part 1)
Switzerland and Czech Republic played out a goalless first half of their Under 21 European Championship semi finals in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denmark-c2884 at the MCH Arena as both the teams took the field for the second half with unchanged line ups from the
first 45 minutes of the encounter. Czech Republic started the match in an offensive fashion as in the 48th minute Kozak was played in by Marecek inside the Swiss penalty area. Despite having sufficient time and space on the ball, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 striker
was unable to produce a prolific finish as his shot ended up nearer to the corner flag rather than the goal itself.
In the 50th minute, Swiss got their act together as Shaqiri became the link up man once again. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016’s star winger played in Mehmedi whose cross into the Czech penalty area found Berardi. However the Swiss midfielder
was unable to finish off the move as his shot was off the mark. In the 52nd minute, Czech Republic were caught out at the back when Kozak made a run in behind their defence. Marecek had a brilliant chance to play his team mate through but he dwelt
on the ball and as a result he was dispossessed by the miserly Swiss http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904.
Vacha did well in the 54th minute when he surged down the right wing for Czech Republic. The speedy winger evaded his marker’s attention but he was subsequently brought down by Shaqiri as the referee gave Czech Republic
their first free kick of the second half in a good position. Celustka stepped up to take the free kick for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882 but his delivery into the box evaded everyone and went out of play for a free kick.
In the 56th minute Koch did well to catch Celustka in possession as Czech Republic were on the attack. The Swiss defender had the vision to send Shaqiri http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 through on a counter attack but Czech Republic’s midfielder
caught the Swiss defender just about as he was pass the ball to his team mate as the referee blew for a free kick in favour of the Swiss U-21 contingent.
With the match stuck in balance, Czech Republic decided to make their first change of the evening when their manager opted to replace Kozak in the striking role with Pekhart. Whilst Czech Republic gave a good account of themselves
in the opening minutes of the second half as compared with their displays in the first half, Switzerland controlled the run of play more often than not. However the Czech Republic defence rarely allowed the Swiss forwards to sneak past them as they defended
deep with eight or more men behind the ball.
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