Czech League football 2016 and on

Discussion in 'Czech Republic' started by ASU55RR, Aug 29, 2016.

  1. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    It's a shame they weren't drawn into a more average group as I think they could have made it at least into the 3rd place Europa League track.

    It was the group of death and they stayed competitive in every match, so in that regard a good showing. Desperately need better finishing though. Masopust missed so many clear scoring chances in Champions League you could almost blame him for Slavia's inability to get more results.
     
  2. Slavia_do_toho

    Slavia Prague
    United States
    Apr 21, 2019
    Philadelphia
    Masopust missed a chance again, but so did Soucek so it's a team issue. The real problem against Inter was how much of a step down Frydrych is compared to Hovorka. Doesn't matter in the league because we are a different level from the competition even with injuries and no proven goal scorer.
     
  3. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    I don't think I've ever seen a team be so consistently bad at finishing as Slavia is in Champions League. Olayinka at least put that header on target but too close to the keeper.

    The biggest gap between they and their opponents is when Dortmund breaks through they are composed and score.
     
  4. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    They've finally forced a few legit saves, but Burki has been equal.

    Kolar also stepping up for Slavia on occasion. Entertaining match, but again Slavia not having much luck
     
  5. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Finally for Slavia, a great break through that Soucek puts away. Would be nice if they could get at least a point as a send off for a solid campaign in a tough group.
     
  6. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Petr Sevcik is a bit of an enigma, if he was younger you'd excuse his inconsistency in favor of potential, but at his age he is just an infuriating case of sometimes great and sometimes awful... today he is awful.
     
  7. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    And the bad finishing is back....
     
  8. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Dortmund 2 - 1 Slavia

    The story was largely familiar, although in this case at least Dortmund's keeper was forced to make some big saves instead of just missing chances (though there were a few of those too. Good experience for Slavia who defied a lot of expectation that minus Deli, MNN, Stoch and Kral wouldn't be able to maintain their level from last season and if anything look better.

    I think they are so built on their system and finding players for it that as long as they have Trpisovsky will be a uniquely formidable side by Czech league standards. That said, if they want to have success in Champions League next year they need 2 things 1) a proven goalscorer and 2) a better draw...

    They will also most likely will need to replace Soucek and Kolar, although as I said they seem to do well back-filling their roster.
     
  9. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia


    One team league this season, and this puts it in perspective.

    Sparta's issues go back a few years, but Plzen have been slumping recently as well which reawakened talk that Vrba's side is stale and needs a change. Not surprisingly he was released today, although he's already lined up a job with Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.
     
  10. Slavia_do_toho

    Slavia Prague
    United States
    Apr 21, 2019
    Philadelphia
    Not having Hovorka made a big difference in our last two Champions League matches, so while better than predicted we are still thin in defense. My hope for the transfer window are a striker and a center back. Otherwise just replacing anyone that may leave without a suitable backup like Kolar.

    I also want to see Matousek and Musa brought back from loan. Realistically, we've already have the league won and need to start assessing players for next season.
     
  11. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    There is at least some rumors that Slavia are inquiring about Krmencik, although I think that is unlikely. I also think it remains to be seen what an ideal striker in their system looks like, so hard to even suggest a player.

    I gave longer form opinions on the league at the midway point last season, but I will more or less copy over a common twitter poll:

    1) (biggest surprise) - for me, Ceske Budejovice, I expected them to stay up but they have been knocking on the door of the top 6

    2) (biggest disappointment) - It has to be sparta, although to me most top 5 teams from last season except Slavia have under-performed this year.

    3) (Best player) - Probably Soucek, although Kolar has a fair claim. Kalvach for non-Slavia players

    4) (Most disappointing player) - Libor Kozak, although Travnik isn't far behind. Yusuf from Slavia's been a bust too.

    5) (revelation) - A few options but Patrik Hellebrand of Slovacko probably the biggest, Slavia and Sparta are reportedly starting the bidding war. Honorable mention to Ladislav Krejci (the young central midfielder, not the veteran wing player) and Pavel Sulc

    6) (best young player) - Adam Hlozek, some others would be Oscar Dorley, Petar Musa,
     
  12. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Sparta's last transfer window was largely a bust, but this looks like it would be a smart signing.



    An expensive one though, the player is listed as over 4 Million Euro on transfermarkt.

    There has also been rumors that they might sign Vaclav Pilar from Olomouc, who along with Kozak means if nothing else they look set to have a promising 2012/3 season.
     
  13. Slavia_do_toho

    Slavia Prague
    United States
    Apr 21, 2019
    Philadelphia
    I have mixed feelings about forcing Husbauer out, he may not be useful in Europe but he is probably the best player for breaking down league opponent's bunker. Skoda is past his usefulness and we need to free wages for the first choice center forward that we don't have.
     
  14. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Dockal is apparently nearly healthy again, and played in one of Sparta's winter break friendlies.
     
  15. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    In the 2nd week of the 2nd half of the season and a few big stories already:

    1) Slavia's first loss of the season. Slavia chose to promote from their youth squad rather than sign big reinforcements for outgoing Soucek and role player forwards Skoda & Van Buren. They seem to have bounced back in week 2.

    2) Vaclav Kadlec officially calls it quick. Unfortunately at 27, the injuries were too much to come back from.

    3) Dockal is back from injury, but looked rusty in his return.

    4) Pavel Bucha, the 21-year-old that made headlines as a youth player for his controversial transfer (terminating his contract with Slavia citing a breach then instantly signing with Plzen), is now a mainstay in the Plzen lineup and had a hat-trick + assist today from midfield. Definitely a player to keep an eye on.
     
  16. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Updated observations:

    1) Slavia is regretting not reinforcing after Soucek left, they have been very mediocre in Spring

    2) Plzen's choice to replace Vrba (Adrian Gul'a) this time seems to have been inspired so far as they are perfect this spring.

    The big news now though is that the Czech government has put a temporary ban on gatherings of over 100 people as a response to Coronavirus, which means that first and second division will have decisions on rather to play empty crowds or more likely just shut down for the time being.
     
  17. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    I think we are coming up on the point where abandonment of the season is likely, we technically have until early May to resume the season in time to finish by end of June, but that would be madness considering minimal training and that our season normally starts in late July.
     
  18. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    The Ministry of health has approved the 1st and 2nd divisions to resume on May 23.
     
  19. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Games supposed to start today. We will see how it goes with testing. Hopefully no new cases.
     
  20. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    No big surprises in the first round back, the biggest match was Sparta 1 - 2 Plzen. Slavia are already qualified for the championship group and still 8 points clear of Plzen with 5 rounds to play, and Plzen are virtually assured a place in the superstructure at 10 pts clear of Jablonec.

    The real battle is in the middle of the table where there are only 8 points separating the bottom team of the Championship Group and top team of the relegation group.

    I'm more focused on 2.Liga, as Brno have moved into 2nd place.
     
    Skevin repped this.
  21. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Round 2 underway, and Plzen don't seem to have any rust from the delayed season following up their away win against Sparta by beating Mlada Boleslav 7-1.
     
  22. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Not to be outdone, Slavia beating 3rd place Jablonec 5-0.
     
  23. adam CZ

    adam CZ Member

    Feb 19, 2014
    Toronto, Canada
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Nice to have our league back up and running. I'll definitely be following the remainder of the season a lot closer now that there's no other sports to follow. Between our league and national team, I really missed Czech football these past few months. Good to be back.

    Based on what I've seen from these past two rounds and more so the games leading up to the season delay, I actually think Plzen is slightly better than Slavia at the moment. Their midfield trio of Kalvach (best player in the league in my opinion), Bucha, and Cermak is on another level compared to the rest of the league. Plzen's performance today reminded me of the peak of the Vrba era with their free-flowing attacking play, quick combinations, and just overall dominance really.

    Slavia's win today was also impressive, but worth noting that Jablonec had a number of notable absentees. Slavia are still very much experimenting in a few positions that I'm not exactly convinced will be solidified just yet (either by further reinforcements or their current new younger signings needing time to develop). Plzen have the advantage in that regard, having had a very productive winter break under Gul'a that has translated nicely into league play.

    Slavia still have a somewhat comfortable eight point lead, but I do expect Plzen to close the gap and create a proper title race. I'm hoping the schedule has these two facing off in the final round of the Championship group.
     
    ASU55RR repped this.
  24. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Plzen definitely have been the best team in Spring, and the Championship group rules should set up a tight battle. I think Plzen made the right personnel moves last summer, but it was clear that Vrba's style was going stale so Gul'a has been the main upgrade.
     
  25. ASU55RR

    ASU55RR Member+

    Jul 31, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY/Brno,CZ
    Club:
    FC Zbrojovka Brno
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Sparta also get a decisive win 1-4 at Karvina. This moves them into position for the championship group, although barely. Great goals from Hlozek, Moberg Karlsson and Karabec.
     

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