Scotland are reported to have completed qualifying unbeaten, with four wins and two draws placing them above Belgium on goal difference. That record offers a stable foundation, even if the play-off environment brings a different kind of pressure.
Czechia also enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign, reportedly winning five of their opening six matches. Their final group game ended in defeat by Wales, but Scotland will not be able to rely on that result as a guide to the semi-final.
Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert give Scotland players accustomed to high-pressure club football, an asset that could prove vital across two tightly balanced legs.
Yet Scotland’s recent qualification history provides a warning. They reportedly missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs, before falling short against Finland in their bid to reach Euro 2025.
Andreatta’s message is therefore significant. Rather than allowing past disappointments to dominate the occasion, she wants her squad to embrace the opportunity that comes with being involved.
Scotland’s immediate aim will be to take a positive result back to Paisley. The winners are expected to face either Lithuania or Sweden in the final, with Sweden presenting the more formidable potential obstacle.
For now, the focus is Czechia, and whether Scotland’s unbeaten qualifying run can survive its first knockout examination. Friday’s performance will reveal whether Andreatta’s positive approach can turn pressure into progress.