Czech Republic skipper Pavel Nedved will walk a disciplinary tight-rope when his side take on Greece in tonight's second Euro 2004 semi-final.
Nedved was almost certainly wrongly booked in the Czechs' 3-0 quarter-final victory over Denmark and following's UEFA's refusal to review the caution, the skipper knows that any booking tonight would see him miss the Euro 2004 final, should his side progress.
The midfielder is understandably cautious ahead of the clash, but insists that he will not hold back. "It is very difficult for me. I have to go softly in this game, but I am always so enthusiastic to give a total performance that I cannot do anything else. It is a big risk, but I have to give my best as I always do," he said.
Nedved will be eager to avoid a booking after missing last season's Champions League final with his club Juventus after picking up two yellow cards in the semi-final against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"I missed that final and had to sit and watch it," he said. "Of course, I don't want that to happen again. But I always give my best and in this semi-final I want to run and run."
Defender Marek Jankulovski also faces a similar predicament to Nedved after being booked against Denmark, but believes that referee Pierluigi Collina show common sense while taking charge of the game.
"I have crossed his path several times in my four years playing in Serie A. He is undoubtedly one of the best referees in the world and is greatly respected by the players," he insisted.
Filed by Rob Wright
