In the aftermath of a 2-0 defeat to England in Prague, Czechia's coach Santi Denia reflects on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Shaking hands with Thomas Tuchel, Denia prepares for a rematch at Wembley just a week later. He expresses his mixed feelings about the current international match schedule, noting, “Four matches in 11 days, no time to train.”

Denia's journey to coaching Czechia stemmed from a conversation at the World Cup, where he witnessed Spain triumph over Argentina. Having spent 15 years nurturing young talent across various age groups in the Spanish federation, he now faces familiar opponents, including England. Denia fondly recalls his history with English football, highlighting past encounters and mutual respect between the nations.

He praises Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon, stating, “Gordon? What a player! He’s at the same level as Lamine Yamal.” Denia advocates for England's youth development, acknowledging the strides made by the Football Association and emphasizing that success is a gradual process.

Despite recent setbacks, including a 3-1 loss to Spain, Denia remains optimistic about his team's future. He aims to establish a robust structure within Czech football, focusing on player selection and development. With the immediate goal of qualifying for the Euros, he looks forward to the possibility of another showdown with England and dreams of high-stakes matches in the future.