Czech national team forward Václav Sejk believes the tactical philosophy of new head coach Santi Denia fits his playing style as the squad prepares for an demanding autumn schedule in the UEFA Nations League. The 24-year-old Sigma Olomouc player received a late call-up for September 2026 after Denia was forced to make seven changes to his initial roster.
The Czech team faces four matches during the extended international window, opening Group A3 play against Croatia at Eden Arena in Prague. Subsequent fixtures include a home match against England and an away fixture against world champions Spain, concluding on October 6.
Sejk Adapts to Denia’s Tactical Vision
Sejk replaces injured Slavia Prague forward Tomáš Chorý in the squad. An opening in the attacking line also emerged following the international retirement of Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick after the summer World Cup. Sejk admitted initial disappointment at missing out on the original selection given his long tenure in the youth ranks, having spent four years with the under-21 team.
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“I was in the under-21 team for four years and I am quite ambitious, so with every nomination I was a little sorry that I wasn’t there,” Sejk told reporters on Thursday, according to Livesport data cited by European media. “I was used to it for some seven or eight years, to always be in some nomination. It disappointed me this time too, but all the more I am now excited and ready.”
Following initial training sessions and individual meetings with Denia, who managed Spain’s under-21 side between 2022 and 2025, Sejk reported clear tactical similarities to his club setup under Pavel Hapal and Portuguese assistant Jaime Monroy at Sigma Olomouc. Sejk noted that the coaching staff showed players video compilations outlining expectations for building attacks from the back.
“We should want to play from the back already, to try for combinational football,” Sejk said of Denia’s instructions. “With the coach, we also discussed the past under-21 team where we played together, we chatted about it. I must say it was quite pleasant. I should get involved in the combination, but above all stretch the defence and get behind it. I think that is one of my strengths.”
Reaction to Schick’s Departure
Addressing the absence of Patrik Schick, Sejk described the Leverkusen forward’s retirement as a significant loss for Czech football. Schick finished his international career following the summer World Cup.
“He is a competitor, but it is a huge shame for the whole of Czechia,” Sejk said. “When we take his career and how many goals he scores, it is a format of a world-class striker. In Czechia, he was never given such credit as abroad.”
The Sparta Prague product, who has previously undertaken spells in the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal, carries one previous cap for the Czech senior A-team into the upcoming fixtures against Croatia, Spain, and England.