He was voted top scorer of Euro 2021 with five goals, tied for goals with Cristiano Ronaldo. Three years later, Patrik Schick should not achieve the same feat. The 28-year-old is indeed injured for the Czech Republic’s decisive match against Turkey, having come off with a calf injury against Georgia. It may not yet be reinstated in the event of a possible round of 16.
His entry into the tournament was complicated with a poor performance against Portugal. Against the Georgians, he raised his level and managed to equalize, becoming the top scorer in the history of his nation at the Euro with six goals. But less than ten minutes later, Schick had to give up the fight.
This season, the Bayer Leverkusen player is really living with bad luck: before his injury at the Euro, he had to miss the first months of competition in the Bundesliga due to a tear in his adductor muscles and then a calf injury. He still managed to finish the season with seven goals and two assists, helping the club in his own way to win the championship title.
Schick finished top scorer at Euro 2021.
To replace him, the Czech Republic should switch to two attackers with the first start of Ondrej Lingr alongside Adam Hlozek. To succeed in going for qualification without its number one scorer.
Euro 2024: Georgia and the Czech Republic part on a split that suits no one
Czechia (3-5-2): Booth; Holes, Hranác, Krejcí; Coufal, Soucek, Barák, Provod, Douděra; Hlozek, Lingr.
Türkiye (4-2-3-1): Altay Bayındır; Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Kaan Ayhan, Ferdi Kadıoğlu; İsmail Yüksek, Hakan Çalhanoğlu; İrfan Can Kahveci, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız; Barış Alper Yılmaz.
Referee: I. Kovacs (Rou).
