Czech League football 2016 and on

Vrba receives a yellow... not sure I've ever known of a match where both managers received a caution in completely separate incidences.

 

FT Sparta 2 (3) - Rapid 0 (2)

Sparta are now guaranteed at least Europa League group stages, and will take on Monaco in the next round of qualifying.

While they didn't play today, Jablonec learned their opponent in Europa League qualifying will be Celtic.

 

Yeah, I was very unimpressed by Sparta's attack over two legs (especially yesterday when Rapid were just hopeless in possession and Sparta should have put them away easy), the chemistry is lagging behind the talent.

I was always a fan of Dockal's ability but he is just passed it physically, he has the technique to contribute on set-pieces but nothing else. Pavelka is also post-peak and kind redundant with Krejci II in midfield; Sacek looked like an improvement.

I'm also not sold on Hlozek as a lone striker, I think they would probably be best to put him at the top of midfield behind a true striker (Julis?). Alternatively they could put Karabec behind him to at least create more support in creating space (don't think any defense is really feeling the need to cover a Dockal "run").

I do think Pesek and Karlsson provide more individual dynamism than their other wingers.

It's kind of weird to think that Krejci, Dockal and Pavelka could be struggling to keep starting spots this season considering they were key national team members in relatively recent memory.

 

So Bilek seems to have taken the captains armband away from Brabec (and given it to Hejda), a one-off choice or a hint of something to come?

Also, why the hell don't Plzen start Ba Loua? He's easily their most dangerous attacking player and outside of probably being the best non-Slavic foreign speaker of Czech in the league Kayamba isn't that interesting.

Additionally, if you don't plan on using Pachlopnik, kindly return to sender.

 

Goal Plzen

Kayamba chips the keeper on a simple break, while I don't retract my statement re: Ba Loua, I will give credit for the technique.

 

I thought it felt odd that Belarus would be so far into evening at this hour in summer, and it turns out the match is actually taking place in Armenia due to the poltical and pandemic crises in Belarus. Also explains the lack of crowd, not sure why they picked such a far off location though, Poland would have made more sense.

Anyway, I think Plzen are more less through at this point with a 2 goal aggregate lead, but one more insurance goal would completely put it to rest.

 

I think Group stages of Conference League will be a decent level for teams involved, but these qualifiers definitely feel more like pre-season camp.

Aside from the goal the only big occurrence was Beauguel being injured (again).

I think Plzen have the talent for 3rd place, but the difference is they no longer have the talent to challenge for a title.

 

50-50 on if I think Slovacko can do it today, they were the better team away despite the final score but they really lack a proven goal scorer without Kliment.

Even if they advance, it's very hard to imagine them getting past Kobenhaven in the next round.

 

Watching a European fixture be played in Uherske Hradiste, crazy times. Much more of competitive fixture atmosphere than the Plzen exile in Armenia.

 

Plovdiv seem to have picked up on this as well, sitting very deep and letting Slovacko pass the ball around while only breaking when they seen opportunity.

 

Goal Slovacko! Lovely first time finish by Danicek breaking into the box unmarked.

I now would say they are favorites as Plovdiv are not very dangerous when they have to play.

Edit: and a the same time Plzen get the insurance goal.

 

Let's just agree that match never happened.

It is a nice little stadium, nice town too, and great to hear fans again.

 

Plovdiv is holding on for dear life, Slovacko applying lots of pressure, but their missing the bit of quality up front (Cicilia is not impressing in these fixtures).

 

Slovacko have out-shot their opponent by over 15 attempts, and yet still just the one goal as we are in extra time.

 

Slovacko's finishing has carried over into penalties, they've failed to convert their first 3 and are about to be knocked out.

 

FT Slovacko 1 (1) - Plovdiv 0 (1) (2-3 on penalties)

Slovacko should never have let this get to penalties, and definitely should have done better. At least they grabbed some Coefficient points on the way out.

 

Teplice 1 - 3 Slavia was a surprisingly fun match from the headlines, Slavia still missing several players but their new signing Ivan Schranz netted a hattrick and Oscar Dorley (who is rapidly improving all last season) chipped in two assists.

I was always impressed by Schranz at C.Budejovice and Jablonec, but there were many that questioned if he would hack it at the Slavia level. One match against Teplice is hardly telling, but a promising start.

Kolar was kind of a disaster, he got caught doing his "I'm going to show off skills" routine leading to the Teplice goal.

 

Wow, Liberec 0 - 5 Sparta. Hlozek seemed to have his confidence back and Karabec and Soucek added a lot of energy to the increasingly sluggish usual midfield.That's 3 players 20 years and younger making an impact.

Not sure what Liberec's plan is this year, they seem to be playing Selassie (who picked up a red-card) in central midfield.... despite his long decorated career as a right-back.

Also not a promising sign that Jablonec got 3 put passed them by Mlada Boleslav ahead of their start of Europa League qualification.