Czech Republic Defense: Koubek’s Options for World Cup Qualifying vs. Ireland

While the Czech Republic national team appears to lack competition in attacking positions, the defensive line presents a different story. Specifically, the center-back roles boast a surplus of talent, leaving new manager Miroslav Koubek with a tough decision: which six or seven players will earn a spot on the squad for the upcoming World Cup playoff against Ireland in ten days?

Former interim manager Jaroslav Köstl previously nominated four center-backs, plus the versatile Jaroslav Zelený, for matches against San Marino and Gibraltar. He deployed a traditional four-man defense with two central defenders. In the preparatory match against San Marino, Zelený and Martin Vitík started, while Zelený and Robin Hranáč were the pairing in the final qualifying match.

Players from the backline played a significant role in those matches, contributing three of the team’s six goals (scored by Douděra, Coufal, and Hranáč) and providing four assists (from Douděra, Coufal, and Zelený, with Zelený assisting twice).

The depth wasn’t as pronounced previously. Ladislav Krejčí was unavailable due to a yellow card suspension, and injuries sidelined Vitík, David Zima, and Václav Jemelka. Now, all but Jemelka are available for selection.

How will Koubek navigate this wealth of options? Unlike his predecessor, Koubek favors a three-center-back system, a formation he successfully implemented at Plzeň and previously at Hradec Králové. The national team is also familiar with this tactical approach.

Krejčí is almost certain to be included in the squad. Despite Wolves’ struggles at the bottom of the Premier League table, he remains a regular starter in a league widely considered the best in the world. He is one of only two Czech players consistently featuring in a top-tier European league, alongside West Ham’s Tomáš Souček, who recently lost the captaincy due to an internal disciplinary matter. Krejčí has been discussed as a potential replacement for Souček as captain, though the return of Vladimír Darida may alter those plans.

Krejčí’s offensive contributions are highly valued. He leads Wolves with 411 forward passes and 127 passes into the attacking third this season. He is adept at building play from the back and possesses a strong finishing ability, registering the third-most shots on target (8, with 5 headers) for his club.

Another strong contender is Hranáč, whom Koubek previously coached at Viktoria Plzeň. The towering defender moved to Hoffenheim, where he initially struggled for playing time, but has become a regular starter this season. Hoffenheim is currently enjoying a surprising campaign, sitting third in the Bundesliga and challenging for a Champions League spot.

Hranáč has accumulated the third-most minutes of any outfield player for Hoffenheim. He excels in aerial duels, a key strength in central defense. Among his teammates with at least 150 duels contested this season, he boasts the third-highest success rate (58.5%).

On the right side of defense, Tomáš Holeš has been a consistent presence for the national team, but faces increased competition from Štěpán Chaloupek at Slavia Prague. Chaloupek’s recent form has been impressive, highlighted by a standout performance against Barcelona in the Champions League, where he even forced an own goal from Robert Lewandowski. Holeš missed much of the fall season due to a knee injury but has featured in Slavia’s last six league matches, during which the team conceded only three goals and took a significant step towards defending their title.

With 38 caps, Holeš is the most experienced center-back in the pool and is likely to be included in the squad.

Jaroslav Zelený is another promising candidate, benefiting from his versatility. He can play both in central defense and as a wing-back, a role he often occupies at Sparta Prague. He is preparing for a Conference League tie against Irish side Alkmaar, featuring Troy Parrott.

Martin Vitík and David Zima are also in contention, but currently trail the other candidates. Vitík has recently become a regular starter at Bologna, adapting to a new defensive system, as he discussed in a recent interview. Despite limited playing time earlier in the season, he has proven to be an effective player under pressure, having made the second-most clearances (78) in the team.

The Czech Republic faces a crucial playoff against Ireland on March 26th at Fortuna Arena in Prague, with a potential final against either Denmark or North Macedonia awaiting the winner on March 31st. The stakes are high as the national team aims for only its second World Cup appearance since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, and the first since 2006. Koubek’s choices in defense will be pivotal as he attempts to navigate this wealth of talent and secure a place at the tournament.