Czech League football 2016 and on

Slavia make another key mistake resulting in a penalty, quite frankly this is a self-destruction on their part as they looked far more likely to score through the first 40 minutes.

 

Slavia's best chance to equalize was remarkably saved, after that they got back into the match enough to have the better of play again but with no result.Erasing a 2 Goal deficit at home against this opponent is not impossible for them, but would still say they are no longer favored to advance.

 

Fair play, Sparta did well in responding to this incident, (much more so than when it happened in a lower profile in Olomouc).

Hello @AS_Monaco, @atchouameni, we look forward to meeting You. We are coming as a club supporting equality and fighting racism.

Persons involved in the incident have been identified and will be banned from Sparta matches.

Full statement ➡️ https://t.co/46ZMa7iWxx pic.twitter.com/xwXcDzBItp

— AC Sparta Prague (@ACSparta_EN) August 9, 2021

 

Loni v únoru to vypadalo na definitivní konec. Možná ale bude všechno jinak. Václav Kadlec se pokusí o návrat k aktivní kariéře, začne se připravovat v Mladé Boleslavi. pic.twitter.com/bdItWwLRTf

— Jan Vacek (@VacekJan) August 10, 2021

1) I hope that if he is feeling up to it that Vaclav Kadlec can play for a few more years

2) Matejovsky, Skalak, Skoda, Suchy, and now maybe Kadlec? Mlada Boleslav are really gunning for the 2014/15 league title.

 

Slavia followed up 35 minutes of near constant pressure with a goal just like in the first leg, although this time they scored it in the right goal.

Notably Abdallah Sima is playing for the first time in a long while and he delivered the assist.

 

Slavia after a fairly calm start to the half are starting to apply pressure again, both Sima and Stanciu had chances to net a 2nd goals.

 

Lot of possession and half chances but still no 2nd. A little over 10 minutes to go including stoppage.

Slavia have been in complete control but still seem to be missing a bit in attack. Their opponent also just went down to 10 men, so it's still there for the taking if they can get another goal.

 

I suspect that effort by Sima was the last one of the match, Slavia did everything but finish chances, by far the better team in both legs and they shot themselves in the foot twice.

Instead of being easy favorites to enter Champions League against Cluj or Young Boys, but now will probably play a slightly tougher opponent for Europa League (the loser of Dinamo Zagreb - Legia Warsaw).

 

In the other match, Sparta made it to halftime 0-0. I would stop short of saying they are being dominated, but Monaco are having the better of play again. If Sparta pull one back it might set up a nervy finish, but I think this one was decided in Prague.

 

Slavia are not alone in having their seemingly easy path to Champions League disappear; heavily favored Rangers & Olmypiakos (who haven't played Vaclik yet) both look to be heading to Europa League playoff as well. Sheriff Tiraspol beat Crvena Zvezda in another upset, although the favored team didn't have as much expectation in that case.

On the plus side for Slavia they will likely be dodging Dinamo Zagreb and playing the more manageable Legia Warsaw.

 

This is probably a good time to remind people that Viktoria Plzen are 3 seasons removed from getting 7 points in a Champions League group with CSKA, Real Madrid and AS Roma

Now they are closing in on leaving Conference League at the hands of a Welsh league team.

 

Hey, my snarky message got through, Plzen scored 2 goals in 10 minutes. Most likely going to extra time with a 5-5 Aggregate score, which isn't even that abnormal looking at other Conference League qualifying scores. This looks like a great tournament if you hate good defending.

Plzen got denied an obvious penalty that could have ended it in regulation, but honestly TNS look spent from trying to protect a lead so long. Then again, Plzen have Brabec and Hruska so you can never count their opponents out.

 

As not great as Plzen have been, Bucha has looked a level above this match,

 

Still looking for a final breakthrough before penalties, There was a goal ruled out for offsides (right call) and another that hit the bar. Just a few minutes left.

 

I realize penalties are a different animal entirely, but TNS certainly have to think their shot to goal ratio is favorable .



Slavia and Slovacko were both punished for such inefficiency, will Plzen join them (actually this is a whole other level)

 

Plzen complete the great escape, going 4/4 while TNS managed 1/3.

This guarantees that all 4 teams playing this week will be in a next round.

Sparta (Group Stage EL)
Slavia (Playoff EL)
Plzen (Conference League Playoff)
Jablonec (in progress but realistically, also Conference League Playoff)

 

Can't tell if Sima's sudden return to the Slavia lineup is just a result of their injury situation or if it means that they aren't getting the transfer offers they hoped for.

 

Slavia once again dominating everything but the score, It's 2-2 at half and a very high quality match. Still, Slavia have to have one of the worst goals against to expected goals against rates in qualifying history so far.

I still feel Kolar is more psychologically impacted by the injury last season now than he was when he first returned. They should probably switch to Mandous at least for a few matches.

 

Plzen and Jablonec are both ahead by goal in their matches, long way to go, but much better start than in their last matches.

 

Plzen and Jablonec have both added a 2nd, surprisingly competent displays that will set them up nicely for group stages if they keep it up.

Slavia are still really struggling to translate possession into goals, something is missing. Their defense has also just been done in by injuries.

Edit: Jablonec add a 3rd, by far their best performance of this season.

 

FT:

Slavia 2 - 2 Legia : Slavia for the 3rd time in 3 European matches control the tempo and produce tons of half chances, but they are missing the composure in front of both goals.

Plzen 2 - 0 CSKA Sofia : A thoroughly professional win, and while not in the clear a good chance to advance to group stages.

Jablonec 5 - 1 Zilina : What the hell (In a good way)? Jablonec have been awful domestically and in Europe prior to this. They have more or less booked their ticket to the group stages

 

2. Liga update:

Having a legit Brno derby has been the one benefit of Lisen's sudden rise and Brno's continual disappointment. An 1-2 instant classic featuring a sold out crowd, pitch invaders and and a late stoppage time winner sees Brno move to the top of the table. Considering we usually start seasons terribly and spend the year playing catch-up; a decent start this year.