Sparta's starting defense today looks almost uniquely awful for a big club, a midfielder at right-back, an attacking fullback in the center. Why does every level of Czech football seem to hate defending at this point?
And predictably, Ceske Budejovice take an early lead at 5 minutes. They could already have 2, Sparta's defense is in shambles.
I'll be honest, outside of Kanga and Hlozek, Sparta really don't even look that talented. While the conventional wisdom is that they've been under performing, I'm not sure this is even a good squad.
2 - 0 CB double their lead from a penalty. Sparta need some subs... Costa and Kozak need to be off the field, massive liabilities in the front and back of the lineup.
Kanga pulls one back with his 2nd fantastic goal in as many weeks. Best Sparta player by some distance, see if it wakes up the rest of the squad.
Moving away from criticizing Sparta, it must be said that Ceske Budejovice is a better than normal promoted team. They are tactically sharp and have some decent quality attacking players.
2-2 Tetteh evens it up by heading in a well placed free kick from Kanga. CB had chances to put this away, and I could still easily see either team getting a winner with under 10 minutes left.
FT 2-2 - Sparta's absurd defensive lineup is partly down to a lack of options, but its clear that Kozak is killing their attack yet they keep starting him. Tetteh isn't great but at least he is active and can play with his feet, but their best option would probably be to start Hlozek there as they often did during their good run of form last spring. For Ceske Budejovice, a confident performance even if they wore down as the match went on, and definitely look good enough to stay up. Their goalkeeper may be the best in the league at distribution.
Katerina Svitkova's goal against Bayern in the Women's Champions league is one of the nominees for UEFA goal of the season. The only women's player nominated. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2616464.html Czech teams were on the receiving end of 33% of the other goal of the season nominees, which seems fitting for how much time we spend complaining about defenders.
Checking in on the 2nd leg of Plzen's qualification campaign. HT 0-0 For two teams that are supposed to be weak in defense Plzen and Olympiacos have now gone 135 minutes without a goal. Plzen came out very slow against Olympiacos this time around, and spent much of the first 15 minutes defending. They've the match down a bit and even had a couple of chances, but would still rate Olympiacos a fair bit ahead for the first half in Greece.
Olympiacos scored from a corner early in the 2nd half, since then they've more or less dropped back and challenged Plzen to get the away goal while looking for counterattack opportunities. And they just scored on one due to a goalkeeper error. Plzen almost assuredly will be moving down to the Europa League track. Good time to remember all the chances they blew at home.
Plzen completely, and more or less purposely with some of their subs, folded after the 2nd goal. Even when everything was even it was clear they are highly susceptible to set-piece opportunities as even in the first leg that they dominated it created nervy moments. If they plan to compete in Europa League or challenge Slavia they will need to tighten up their marking.
Mlada Boleslav have grabbed an early away goal in Kazakhstan, beautiful movement and even better finish from Matejovsky.
One of Ordabasy's supporters section are apparently the "Texas Fans" which seems very random. Also a rare stadium where ultras sit midfield instead of behind the goal or in the corner. Unlike Plzen that completely fell apart on the road, Mlada Boleslav more or less picked up where they left off at home. Controlling possession and keeping the ball in the final third even if not getting many real chances since the goal. Just like in the first leg though they need to be mindful of counterattacks and set pieces.
And a clear penalty awarded for Mlada Boleslav. Komlicenko steps up and... slots it away calmly. Mlada Boleslav now ahead by 2 away goals. Almost certain to advance to the next qualifying round.
HT Ordabasy 1 - 2 Mlada Boleslav Ordabasy get one back right before halftime, goalkeeper error honestly. No need to come off his line and he dropped a catch in traffic. Otherwise, a mostly good performance by the visitors so far.
Stepped away for teleconference, and Mlada Boleslav scored a 3rd, but then Ordabasy were awarded an outrageously weak penalty so its 2-3 with 20 minutes left. Throughout the match Mlada Boleslav have looked better so still expect them to advance with what is essentially a 2 goal lead. That said, I think they should consider a more kill the game off strategy than getting a 4th goal. The opponents only strategy is long ball counterattack down the channel, haven't possessed the ball through midfield once.
With less than 10 minutes to go and the match dying down, Mlada Boleslav will be looking ahead to 3rd qualifying match-up against FCSB (a hip new branding of the famed Romanian club Steaua Bucherest). Will be a much tougher challenge for Ml. Boleslav,. Oh some idiots on the field so match now on break.
The Kazah side now taking frustrations out, picked up 3 yellow cards in about 5 minutes. In stoppage time, but there will be 9 minutes due to the pitch invasion (and admittedly this official has favored the home side on several occasions)
It's Jablonec's turn, and they definitely look more up for it than after the travel disaster last week. 3 good chances in the first 15 minutes though and more or less all of the possession. Still need a goal though. Matousek has been shouldered down in the box twice in the box, both fair challenges but at this rate he will earn a penalty as the opposing defense is living dangerous with his speed.
Official not helping Jablonec as he just waved away what should have been a penalty. Honestly, if Jablonec just calms down in front of goal they should be up already. There defense us a disaster waiting to happen though,in a half where I'd say they've had 75% possession 3/4 of their back-line picked up yellow cards.
60 minutes in, still 0-0 and I think Jablonec are only getting worse with shot composure and selection. They also are just kind of dropping intensity except for Matousek. Still a lot of time but I think nerves are starting to make an easy task more difficult.
Jablonec look gassed and frustrated. They're clearly the better team, but they just don't have the sharpness in the final third. For some reason they just subbed off their most dangerous player with 12 minutes (+stoppage) remaining.
FT 0-0 Well 2018 Sparta Prague, you are no longer the most embarrassing Czech entrant in Europa League qualifying history. The results on the field are more or less equally bad, but the part where Jablonec literally needed the government to arrange a plane last minute to just to barely make it in time for the first leg put this over the top. I don't really ever expect anything from teams other than Slavia, Sparta and Plzen, but this was just absurd considering the opponent and opportunities they missed.
Mlada Boleslav had to postpone their match this weekend because of travel difficulties returning from Europa League. Every time I complain that we aren't investing enough in transfers I will look at them and Jablonec to remind myself that at least we can schedule and charter planes.