SM
Liverpool vs. Villa: 23 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Five things we learned from Scotland's defeat to the Czech Republic

:Headline: Five things we learned from Scotland's defeat to the Czech Republic:
A Patrick Schick double condemned Scotland to defeat in their Euro 2020 opener.
Sports Mole

Scotland's return to major tournament action fell flat as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic at Hampden.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five things we learned from their Euro 2020 Group D opener:

Scotland's knock-out dream in tatters

If Steve Clarke's team were to become the first Scotland side to make it past the group stage at a major tournament then they realistically had to get off to a winning start against the Czechs. Instead, Patrick Schick's brilliant double has left their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread. The Scots now head to Wembley to face England on Friday needing an almighty response.

Marshall dents his reputation

Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall crashes into the back of the net after conceding the second goal scored by Czech Republic's Patrik Schick (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Goalkeeper David Marshall became a national hero with his penalty save in Serbia, but he was left red faced at Hampden after being caught out 40 yards off his line as Schick's lob from just inside the Scotland half put the Czechs 2-0 up. The keeper had made a number of key saves already, but there was no way back for the hosts from that 53rd-minute hammer blow.

Clamour for young guns set to increase

Scotland's Nathan Patterson (left) with Billy Gilmour were left on the bench at Hampden (Andrew Milligan/PA)

There was a collective groan around the Tartan Army when the team was announced an hour before kick-off as Clarke opted against involving his talented teenagers Nathan Patterson and Billy Gilmour. The Scotland boss went with his tried-and-trusted servants like Stephen O'Donnell and Ryan Christie, but neither impressed as Scotland stumbled out the blocks. The manager is now likely to come under growing pressure in the days ahead to throw caution to the wind and start Chelsea youngster Gilmour and Rangers rising star Patterson.

Crash landing for Lyndon Dykes

Scotland's Lyndon Dykes had a tough day at Hampden (Jane Barlow/PA)

Clarke was hoping to use his big frontman as a battering ram to open up the Czech defence, but instead the QPR striker found himself chasing a string of aimless long balls. The 14 aerial duels he contested in the first half alone was more than any player in the tournament so far. He could have given Scotland hope at two down but fired his finish straight at Tomas Vaclik.

Tartan Army keeping fingers crossed for Kieran Tierney return

Kieran Tierney missed out against Scotland (Ian Rutherford/PA).

The loss of the Arsenal man to a training ground knock this week was a huge blow to Clarke's plans, but if there is one small hope to be taken from this damaging defeat is that the defender should be back in time to face England in London.

body check tags ::

amp_article__451348 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-14 16:05:07:
html db last update - 2021-06-14 16:05:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
SM
Read Next:
Steve Clarke: 'Big players will overcome Scotland's tournament inexperience'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Nathan Patterson Billy Gilmour David Marshall Steve Clarke Kieran Tierney Patrick Schick Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Steve Clarke: 'Big players will overcome Scotland's tournament inexperience'
"I agree" - Van Nistelrooy makes striker admission amid Hojlund, Zirkzee struggles

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Key player is available but four miss out for Real Madrid vs. Osasuna

1

KP

Three-horse race? Arsenal 'considering January bid' for £66m wonderkid

2

TR

Preview: Wales vs. Fiji - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PW

Can Chelsea learn from Arsenal mistakes? Ex-scout suggests next phase for Estevao

4

CC

Preview: Chelsea vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PC

Double reunion in doubt? Arteta gives Rice, Havertz injury updates before Chelsea

6

DR

Preview: Estrela Amadora vs. Nacional - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PE

Preview: Nott'm Forest vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PN

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PR

Preview: Rennes vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PR


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .