The players of Portugal, who will be the opening opponent of the Czech representatives in the basic group of the European Championship in Germany in two weeks, defeated Finland 4:2 in the preparatory match. Bruno Fernandes scored two goals in Lisbon. Turkey, which is also in the Czech group at the Euros, drew 0:0 in Italy.
The team from the Iberian Peninsula confirmed the role of favorite from the start, when they hardly let the opponent have the ball. The role of the offensive driver was taken over by the absent Ronaldo on the left side of the field by Rafael Leao, through whom most of the interesting actions were born in the first act. As well as the corner kick from the 17th minute, after which Rúben Dias got through with a sharp header. Before long, Joao Cancelo could imitate his colleague from the defensive ranks, but he only hit the side net from the right side of the penalty area. In the 40th minute, Francisco Conceicao could have raised his head, but Lukáš Hradecky pulled off a reliable save. However, Diogo Jota managed to give the Portuguese a two-goal lead before the break, who safely converted the penalty kick in the set time.
The active Cancelo could have added another goal soon after the change of sides, but he only sent a sharp shot to the spot where Hradecky was standing. Fernandes finished much better in the 55th minute, who cleared the ball from outside the penalty area exactly to the right post. The home team eased up in a clear situation, which the Finns suddenly took advantage of. In the 73rd minute, substitute Pukki ran onto a great pass behind the defense and did not hesitate when he faced the goalkeeper. One accurate strike was not enough for the experienced striker and he scored again just four minutes later when he capitalized on Matti Peltola’s through ball into the box. But the Portuguese did not allow drama and Fernandes secured the victory in the end with the second goal of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not appear in the match nomination. Coach Roberto Martínez gave the five-time Ballon d’Or winner a week off as his season in Saudi Arabia did not end until May 31. The Czechs will open the Euros with a match against the Portuguese on June 18 in Leipzig.
The Italian coach of the Turks froze the Squadra Azzurra. The Czechs’ opponent at the Euro is counting the injured
The European Championship hasn’t started yet, but Italian fans were slightly skeptical. The attack did not command the same respect as in the Squadra Azzurra’s heyday, and in recent days the defense has suffered cracks as well, with injuries to Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini. But the Turkish national team also counted losses. Coach Montella, a 20-time Italian international, had to drop Caglar Söyüncü and Enes Ünal from his plans.
The game was more like a tactical battle from the beginning, as evidenced by the fact that neither team had a shot on goal during the entire first half. Only Kaan Ayhan had the opportunity to score, but his header did not go into the space between the three posts. The end of the first half had a bitter aftertaste for the team from the country of the crescent moon, as the defender Kabak was injured, and his participation in the upcoming Euros is thus shrouded in questions. The Italians’ best chance came in the last set minute, but Bryan Cristante headed just into the post.
Guglielmo Vicario had to demonstrate his goalkeeping skills in the 63rd minute, who did not allow a change in the score after a well-aimed header by Merih Demiral. The rest of the match did not offer more opportunities, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo did not change anything in the 87th minute, whose header after a corner kick went high over the goal of Altay Bayindira.
Preparatory matches before the European Championship:
Ljubljana: Slovenia – Armenia 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: 11. Mlakar, 63. Iličič – 56. Harojan.
Lucerne: Switzerland – Estonia 4:0 (1:0)
Goals: 20. Zuber, 47. Amdouni, 63. Elvedi, 70. Shaqiri z pen.
Bucharest: Romania – Bulgaria 0:0
Dublin: Ireland – Hungary 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: 36. Idah, 90.+2 Parrott – 40. Lang
Vienna: Austria – Serbia 2:1 (2:1)
Goals: 10. Wimmer, 13. Baumgartner – 35. Pavlovic
Lisbon: Portugal – Finland 4:2 (2:0)
Goals: 55. to 84. Fernandes, 17. Dias, 45.+4 Diogo Jota z pen. – 73. to 77. Pukki.
Bologna: Italy – Turkey 0:0
Krejčí takes the interest from Spain as satisfaction, he concentrates on the Euro. The transfer reaches the final stage, the severance pay is clear
