Czech Republic captain Ladislav Krejci has expressed his determination to help his team replicate one of their country’s most memorable football victories, as they prepare to face England at the Fortuna Arena in Prague. The stadium holds particular significance, having been the venue where the Czech team ended England’s 43-match unbeaten run in qualifying in 2019.

Krejci, 27, who currently plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, was not part of the squad for that historic win but recalls watching the match and is motivated to engineer a similar upset. “Defeating one of the best European and world teams in football is great,” Krejci said. “It shows that even a smaller nation like us can achieve something remarkable.” He added that representing his country in high-profile games like this is a major source of pride and inspiration.

Having missed the Czech Republic’s opening UEFA Nations League match against Croatia, Krejci is expected to return to the starting lineup. The former Girona defender said he feels physically ready and motivated, particularly when playing against strong opposition like England. “This is a great opportunity to show we can compete with these teams,” he commented.

The Czech side, which finished last in their group at the recent World Cup, is now led by new manager Santi Denia, a former coach of Spain’s youth teams. Denia praised the progress and investment made by the Football Association (FA) in England, highlighting the country’s focus on youth development, facilities, and opportunities for young players. He described the level of competition between England and Spain as very close, emphasizing that both have strong teams, coaches, and players.

Regarding team selection, Denia suggested there could be changes in the goalkeeper position. Newcastle’s Lukas Hornicek started in the opening Nations League loss to Croatia but the manager hinted that Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky—another of the three goalkeepers in the squad—may be considered for the clash against England. “We choose the best moment to give opportunities to all three goalkeepers,” Denia noted.

The upcoming match stands as a high-profile test for the Czech Republic as they seek to build confidence and momentum under Denia, while England aims to maintain their standing in the Nations League and avoid a repeat of past disappointment at the Fortuna Arena.