A visibly-moved Pavel Nedved stood with Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after a message on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, wondering why the Czech Republic has not joined the World Cup play-off boycott.
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“I must admit it’s difficult to be 100 per cent concentrated on football today, because I am from Eastern Europe, so I feel for the people of Ukraine. I grew up near there, I can say nobody deserves this suffering, nobody wants this war. Nobody wants it,” Nedved told DAZN.
“I apologise, it’s difficult, but I am here to answer your questions. I don’t think this is an important game, it is a decisive one. Decisive for our path in this season, just as usual at this period of the campaign the matches will always be decisive.”
Szczesny is married to a Ukrainian woman and wrote a touching Instagram post noting that Ukrainian blood runs through the veins of their children.
The Polish and Swedish Federations have already announced they will refuse to play Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs next month, regardless of the venue, but so far the Czech Republic have not joined the boycott of those fixtures.
“We did talk about this a great deal. I understand Wojciech perfectly, because it’s difficult when it touches you on a personal level. We asked if he was ready to play and he said yes,” continued Nedved.
“I expect my nation to do the same and I don’t know what they are waiting for. Poland and Sweden both said they are not playing Russia and that is the right thing to do.”
Dusan Vlahovic arrived in January, but this is the first time he has started with Moise Kean in a new Juventus forward line.
“Kean is in good shape, he’s a great professional and has been training really well. We think the combination of him and the physicality of Vlahovic can really trouble opposition defenders.”