Which players were in contention for a place in Czechoslovakia‘s XI against Luxembourg?
Goalkeepers
Luděk Mikloško (Baník Ostrava) had been the national’s first team choice in the qualifiers for the 1988 Euros, but Vengloš looked to favour Jan Stejskal (Sparta Prague).
Defenders
Jozef Chovanec (Sparta Prague) was perhaps the only likely player to take Kubík’s place in centre of midfield, but he was also needed in defense, where Vengloš had lost no less than two merited players: František Straka (Gladbach) and Ján Kocian (St. Pauli). The two had asked for a transfer abroad and were still under a ban from the Czechoslovakian FA. Chovanec would here be the libero, working in tandem with promising centre-half Miroslav Kadlec (TJ Vítkovice). More experienced Vladimír Kinier (Slovan Bratislava) was expected to be in the reserves. Julius Bielik (Sparta Prague) had during 1988 established himself as the regular right back. More uncertainty about the left back, where Vengloš looked undecided between Peter Fieber (Dunajská Streda) and Lubomír Vlk (TJ Vítkovice).
Midfielders
Headache for Vengloš as he had to find a way to replace playmaker Kubík. There just weren’t any players available to him that could take his place in the centre of midfield. Ivan Hašek (Sparta Prague) is a certain starter, and a quite different player: spirited, excellent timing his runs from the deep of midfield and join the attack. Václav Němeček (Sparta Prague) might company Hašek, but is a versatile player. His main asset is his work rate and stamina, and far from a player similar in type to Kubík. More creativity could be expected from Viliam Hýravý (Baník Ostrava), normally an attacking midfielder for his club, who might take place at the right side; Vladimír Weiss (Inter Bratislava), a more natural right winger, would be a contender for this position. Michal Bílek (Sparta Prague) was one of the young players coming through in 1988: he possesses a gifted right peg, and it appeared that Vengloš had designated the left side of midfield for him, from where he would cut inside and attempt shots.
Strikers
With Knoflíček unavilable, the remaining Czechoslovakian forwards all appeared to be built on the same mould: powerful strikers, good at holding up the ball and winning aerial battles. Howeer, there was a lack of pace and flair. Tomas Skuhravý (Sparta Prague) had played in all six qualifiers for the 1988 Euros, but Vengloš’s favourite appeared to be Stanislav Griga (Sparta Prague). There was also Milan Luhový (Dukla Prague), who was prolific on the domestic goal scoring charts. Václav Daněk (Baník Ostrava) might offer something a bit different: a more volatile striker with the ability to score goals out of nothing.