Home News archive Germany 1 vs Czech Republic 0: Match Ratings

Germany 1 vs Czech Republic 0: Match Ratings


The Game
The first half of the friendly between Germany and the Czech Republic went as one would expect. Both sides are on inconsistent form with the Germans winning 6 of their last 10 while the Czech Republic have won 5 of their last 10 but you would expect the Germans to take care of business. They did that. Note that the Germans have already qualified for the Euros now scheduled to take place in 2021.


The Germans lined up in a 3-4-3. They took control of the first half and created more chances. They scored just one, but it proved to be the decisive goal of the contest. Ilkay Gundogan and Florian Neuhaus controlled the pace of the game with the fullbacks Philipp Max and Bote Baku providing the width. Max’s crossing was dangerous. One of his crosses led to the goal while Baku’s runs caused problems all night for the Eastern European nation. Gian-Luca Waldschmidt, Julian Brandt, and Jonas Hofmann were the choice forwards of the day. Antonio Rudiger, Robin Koch, and Jonathan Tah completed the back 3. There was a rare start in goal for Kevin Trapp.


For the Czech Republic, Jiri Pavlenka started in goal ahead of Thomas Vaclik. It was a very different lineup from the team that lost to Scotland. Vaclav Jemelka and Jakub Brabec came in for the more established Ondrej pairing. In fact, no player from the Scotland defeat started this game. Filip Novak and Alex Mateju occupied the fullback spots. The 4-1-4-1 of the Czechs was set up to limit the Germans in the center but the threat was out wide. Tomas Holes was the lone defensive midfielder with Vaclav Cerny, Borek Dockal, Antonin Barak and Jan Kopic in front of him. Michael Krmencik was the sole striker.


Ratings
Kevin Trapp
He did everything that was asked of him. Trapp made one great save towards the end and he distributed well enough. His distribution was clean. As expected of any keeper starting for this team. Clean sheet. 9/10


Antonio Rudiger
The central defender may not have won the trust of Frank Lampard but in Joachim Low he has a believer. He used his body to shield the ball under pressure, he won his aerial duels and he defended well on the ground. His diagonals into Baku was very helpful in initiating attacks for the Germans. 8/10


Robin Koch
The Leeds defender has undergone a baptism of fire in the Premier League but on home ground he looked assured and composed, albeit against weaker opponents. He won his duels and he distributed well from his place in the middle of the 3 at the back. 8/10


Jonathan Tah
The mountain of Leverkusen was imperious as usual and he withstood the late onslaught from the Czech Republic in the second half. Tah was also efficient with his distribution. 8/10


Philipp Max
Arguably the man of the match up to the point when he was taken off. The PSV Eindhoven full-back put in some delicious deliveries from the left. He was also very aggressive when pushing up to press. There was a marked difference in Germany’s attack when he went off and he got the assist for the goal. 9.5/10


Bote Baku
The 22-year-old was impressive on the right flank. Making his debut, Baku was providing an outlet for Rudiger’s long balls. Mateju had to switch to left-back to contain him, but there was no response to his forward thrust. Apart from 2 dangerous back passes, it was a solid debut for him. 8.5/10


Ilkay Gundogan
Ball rotation, ball retention, energy, and football intelligence. The German Midfielder controlled proceedings in the first half. With Neuhaus marauding everywhere, Gundogan was tasked with keeping things ticking in the center, and he did just that. 8/10


Florian Neuhaus
Typical German midfielder. Can do everything and he will gladly find a purpose in whatever role you put him in. The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder was his usual high octane self. Stretching his legs to win the ball back and stretching it to make forward runs into the box. Expect to see more of him with this team. 8/10


Julian Brandt
It was not a great day for Brandt even though it was not bad either. He missed a great chance from a Jemelka give away and missed some key passes. Brandt also made some good passes and carried the ball well. 6.5/10


Jonas Hofmann
He barely got a chance to influence the game before he was taken off with what looks like a muscle injury. The way the football authorities keep allowing these players to drop like flies shows us the thinking of the governing bodies. N/A
Gian-Luca Waldschmidt
The young striker is thriving in Portugal since his move from Freiburg. He took his goal well and linked up play well. Waldschmidt did not get many clear-cut chances but handled the other intangibles well. 7.5/10


Nadiem Amiri
He was making the right runs and carrying the ball well as soon as he came on for Hofmann. Amiri was constantly trying to do something positive with the ball. 7.5/10


Mahmoud Dahoud
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder could not control the midfield as expertly as Gundogan. His sloppy plays and give aways led to the Czech’s second half dominance. 6/10


Nico Shulz
Anonymous from the moment he came on and his presence was palpably different from the verve of Max. The Borussia Dortmund full-back continues to get questionable call-ups despite barely starting for his club. 5/10


Jiri Pavlenka
The goalkeeper pulled off 3 impressive saves during the game. He made a great save just before the goal, and he made a couple more to keep his side in the game. His distribution was also decent as they looked to build their play from the back. 9.5/10


Alex Mateju
Mateju did well on the left and on the right. He did not get forward that much with Baku and Max taking turns to pin him back. 6/10


Filip Novak
The defender had a tough time dealing with Baku. It was an uninspiring day for him. 5/10


Jakub Brabec
He was one half of a solid pairing in the center. They could not withstand the Germans long enough though. His passing was good under pressure. 6/10


Vaclav Jemelka
One terrible give away that Brandt misused, but he was okay on the night. 6/10


Tomas Holes
He struggled to take the game from Gundogan and Neuhaus in the centre. Their ball rotation had him scampering and blocking the channels in the center. Another who did his job well enough. 6/10


Jan Kopic
Apart from one shot that flashed wide, he was kept honest and quiet. He ran a lot, but mostly defensively. 5/10


Antonin Barak
He showed good energy but ultimately used it chasing the ball. Barak struggled to hold the centre. 6/10


Borek Dockal
The captain on the night, he was really trying to make something happen with his runs and crosses into the box but nothing gave. Gave the run-out his all. 7/10


Vaclav Cerny
He was kept quiet. Cerny was neutralized and made anonymous. 4/10


Michael Krmencik
He was given nothing to work with. No service. He laboured well but in vain. Germany stood resolute. 5/10


Jakub Jankto
The winger provided more of the good stuff than Cerny. He injected more verve into the game. His introduction led to a spell of good moves for the Czech Republic. 7/10


Thomas Soucek
The combative midfielder was winning headers, pulling shirts, and mauling German players from the beginning of the second half. He did not allow them the control Gundogan was exerting in the first half. The West Ham midfielder harried Neuhaus and Dahoud on the ball. 8/10


Matej Vydra
He asked more questions of the German defense and provided better linkup play. Vydra didn’t receive any good chance, but he put in a good shift. 7/10


Zdenek Ondrasek
He could not impose himself on the game. N/A

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