Patrik Schick Ready To Shine Back At Euro 2024 For The Czech Republic

JAKARTA - Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick is back in the spotlight thanks to his outstanding goalscoring ability at Euro 2020, which was marked by a stunning goal from midfield against Scotland. His ability will be much needed again if his country wants to make a breakthrough in this year's tournament.

After winning the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen, Schick appears to have recovered from an injury that has plagued him over the past year and has played an important role for the Europa League finalists since returning.

The Czech Republic, which will face Portugal, Georgia, and Turkey in Group F Euro 2024, qualified for the tournament in Germany after an unsatisfactory campaign that led to the resignation of manager Jaroslav Silhavy after a series of poor performances.

Schick's absence from some qualifications played an important role, as without the Sparta Prague product, the team's attack went blunt. His goal from a distance of 45 meters against Scotland was the furthest goal ever scored at the Euros.

After the tournament, where he became the overall goalscorer together, Schick picked up an injury and missed most of last year. He returned around the middle of this season with a number of important goals for the German champions.

Schick scored an equalizer as he traveled to Qarabag in the last 16 of the Europa League in extra time and added two more goals after the 90th minute in the second leg that brought Leverkusen to the quarter-finals.

The appearance became a breath of fresh air for the Czech team and showed that Schick, who has had 18 goals in 37 international games, has gone through the problem of abductor requiring surgery and is now ready to see his country qualify from the group stage.

The 28-year-old forward has scored several goals from the bench since returning, but to reach the knockout round, the Czech team will need him in the starting line-up, according to former coach Sparta Prague and Czech national team midfielder Martin Hasek told Reuters.

"Schick's trick is one of the few players in the Czech team to play at a high international level," Hasek said. "He's been struggling with injury, but if he's in top shape, he's really going to give the Czech team a big boost."