Back On The Road To Kiev

Scotland begin the second half of their Euro 2012 campaign with the visit of their closest challengers for the playoff spot, The Czech Republic.  The Czech Republic have only played here once in a competitive match, a Euro 2000 qualifier in March 1999 that saw them win 2-1 (below) at Parkhead.  Scotland currently sit in 4th place in the table, 5 points behind the Czech Republic but with a game in hand.  A win for Scotland really is a must.

Bearing in mind the controversy surrounding the away tie in Prague, 4-6 and all that.  Levein has announced a team that looks like the favoured 4-5-1 formation.  McGregor is in goal with a back four of Hutton, Caldwell, Berra and Bardsley.  However Levein has retained the three man central midfield tactic that has served Scotland so well since the Craig Brown years.  Making up the midfield trio are Fletcher, Adam & Brown.  I suspect that Morrison and Naismith will start on the flanks, however the inclusion of Naismith gives a flexibility, which Scotland could switch to a 4-4-1-1 (with Morrison playing in midfield and Naismith as the “second” striker behind Miller).

Whatever formation Levein uses today, Scotland will have to retain possession an awful lot better than they did lastOctober.  If the Czech’s are able to settle into a pattern and retain possession better than Scotland, then Scotland will be in trouble.  Remember, it was not the 4-6 formation that sunk Scotland, but the inability to retain possession.

If Scotland go with the 4-5-1 formation, it will give them the best chance to disrupt the Czech’s passing rhythm, retain possession and to create chances to win.  If they do that then Scotland can win to keep us going to Lithuania on Tuesday.