Czech Republic head coach Ivah Hasek has spoken about facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in their Euro 2024 group-stage clash. The Selecao are seen as clear favorites to lead Group F over Turkey, Czech, and Georgia, but Hasek is working on a plan to give Portugal a tough time.
The Locomotiva head coach spoke at a press conference about facing Portugal, who notably won EURO 2016. He revealed their plans to impress against Cristiano Robaldo anf company, saying (via O Jogo):
“The other [team’s] games don’t influence us. If we don’t have the ball and just defend, we won’t be successful. It would be easier to leave the pitch and be done with it.”
He also spoke the Portuguese players, adding:
“They have players who play for the best clubs and are stars. Portugal are favorites to win the tournament. We have to neutralize Ronaldo. They will remember this all their lives and will say that they played against him and maybe they will be successful . It will be something remembered forever.”
However, the head coach conceded that they were not expecting a win in their first game against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side:
“The most important thing is the last game. The first game doesn’t decide anything, we play against the favorite to win…”
After facing the Selecao, Czech Republic will take on Georgia and Turkey. In the event that they fail to beat the group favorites, they will be hoping for wins against the other two sides.
Locomotiva have won their last five games, but none of their opponents have been as strong as Portugal.