Czech League football 2016 and on

Sparta strikes first with Birmancevic gets enough to put it in an empty net finish as FCSB's goal line block comes back to him following a corner. Much more assertive start than in the 1st leg in general, but still a long time to go.

 

Birmancevic gets a 2nd, converting a penalty. I think Sparta now have the next round in their sights, but still a lot of time.

FCSB are clearly unhappy about the penalty, but in my opinion absolutely the right call. A head-to-head challenge requires equal chances of getting the ball to me, and Olatunji had already flicked the ball on when the opponent essentially head butted him in the back of the head.

 

FCSB completely falling apart now, Haraslin makes it 3.

 

HT FCSB 0 - 3 Sparta (1-4 agg)

Sparta now >95% chance of going through, their most assertive performance in Europe so far this season. They will face the winner of a high scoring and back and forth battle between PAOK and Malmo, that looks like it is going to extra time at 5-5 agg. Sparta should consider themselves to have a strong chance at the group stage, but will definitely be tough.

HT Royal USG 0 - Slavia 0 (1-3 agg)

More measure approach from Slavia knowing they have te lead. Probably up to about a 90% chance of advancing since both sides have really only generated one scoring chance in the match, but 1 more goal by Slavia would finish this.

Slavia will face either Fenerbahce or Lille who are 10 minutes from penalties if nothing changes.

 

Slavia will play Lille if they hold on to their lead. They are being a bit more passive than I'd like.

 

Sparta gave up a goal back, but hard to imagine that it will matter this far into the match.

 

Sparta will (almost certainly) play Malmo in the next round.

 

Sparta's lead is down to 1 with 5 (+ stoppage) remaining. Their same issues with being disorganized at the back and easily knocked off the ball, from throughout this qualification campaign, reappeared this half.

On the plus side Slavia just put their match away.

 

FT FCSB 2 - 3 Sparta (3-4 agg)

Sparta are through, but made it harder for themselves than they should have. Overall I remain unconvinced they can do much at this level, but the opponents may be enough for them to make it to the group stage.

FT Royal USG 0 - 1 Slavia (1-4 agg)

The 2nd match was fairly passive, but they never felt challenged. Can Slavia beat Lille... possibly, but it would be an upset. I still think of the two that Slavia is better built to compete at this level.

Importantly though, both of these teams are now guaranteed no worse than Europa League, where either can be more competitive.

 

Just as with last season the key team to watch in qualification is Plzen. If they advance today then we are guaranteed 3 teams in the group stages of a European competition which is crucial to our coefficient.

Any result from Mlada Boleslav or Ostrava would just be bonus.

 

HT Plzen 0-0 Krvybas

Plzen have some stretches of sustained pressure, but no break through. The opponent is content to counter from the looks of it, and they generated one good chance doing so.

I put Plzen about 75% chance of advancing right now, I think 1 goal is enough.

HT Ostrava 1 - 0 Copenhagen

They might actually do it, I'm not watching but statistically they controlled the first half and with it even on aggregate I'd call them slight favorites to advance.

HT Hapoel Beer Sheva 2 - 0 Mlada Boleslav

Stats show both teams had chances, only one finished them. Mlada Boleslav just don't have what it takes at this level. Would take a miracle to come back from 2 down on the road.

 

Plzen heads home a goal to move their aggregate lead to 2, the match was actually fairly even this half up until then, but this is most likely enough to seem them through.


Also, Mlada Boleslav have pulled one back, so they have gone from needing a miracle to just being most likely not going through.

 

Worth noting if Plzen advance their opponent is already known, they'd play Heart of Midlothian from Scotland, which is a great team name. Also a team I suspect they'd be favored against.

 

Mlada Boleslav have improbably evened up their match (and aggregate), from no chance in hell to even odds in less than 15 minutes.

 

Unbelievable, Mlada boleslav now have the lead and a man advantage with less than 10 minutes remaining. Incredible turnaround.

 

At this point all eyes on Ostrava, they have had more chances today, but still tied on aggregate with just a few minutes until extra time.

 

FT Plzen 1 - 0 Krvybas (3-1 agg)

Massive result that guarantees them at least Conference League group stage, although I think they can make Europa League

FT Hapoel Beer Sheva 2 - 4 Mlada Boleslav (3-5 agg)

I honestly can't believe it, great turnaround for them (and an epic collapse from their opponent who not only blew a 2 goal lead it home but finished with 8 men). They will play either Gent (Bel) or Silkeborg (Den) for a shot at the group stages.

Ostrava and Copenhagen are into extra time. I think Ostrava are ever so slight favorites, but very competitive match.

 

Ostrava look fairly gassed in extra time. About 10 minutes from penalties as things hold.

 

A truly inept display of penalties sees Ostrava out in a round they probably should have won on balance.

FT Ostrava 1- 0 Copenhagen (1-1 agg)
(1-2 penalties)

 

Sparta just payed the record transfer fee of a Czech side reportedly spending over 5 Million Euro with add ons for 23-year-old Kosovar striker Albion Rrahmani from Rapid Buceresti, who had somewhat recently been linked with Slavia and Rangers.

Frankly a great and ambitious signing, and likely means that Kuchta is on the way out (no confirmed rumors though).

 

Agree, I felt like the Chory signing only really made since as Trpisovsky admitting that he is tired of finding ways to breakdown domestic opponents tactically, so lets just kick it to the big oaf in the box and see what happens.

 

Haven't been paying attention, but apparently Lille's home match is being played at a different stadium.