FC Viktoria Plzeň played the first match of the Europa League group stage and against AS Roma they played an equal game. Perotti from penalty kick and Bakoš scored and Viktoria received the first point.

„The match was exhausting, AS Roma confirmed their high quality and this one point is really good for us. We wanted to enter the match in a different way but the opponent let us do nothing and then they had the penalty kick. Maybe it satisfied them and we took advantage of the situation, created some interesting chances and equalized the score.Then it was a fight and both teams could score a winning goal,“ Marek Bakoš evaluates the match. „We don´t have to be ashamed. We had some chances but they were still dangerous. The tie is deserved,“ the goalkeeper Petr Bolek adds.

The goalkeeper substituted Matúš Kozáčik who was injured. „He injured his back during Wednesday´s training so it was clear he can´t be ready for this match. I´m always ready, I have to be if I´m number 2 in the team. I was looking forward to the match and that I´ll play again,“ Bolek says.

The beginning of the match was bad, all players and our fans wished it was different because the penalty was kicked on 4 minutes. „We didn´t expect the kick-off like this. We prepared ourselves for something but then we conceded a cheap goal from a penalty kick. The goalkeepers´ coach played me a video how Totti and Perotti kick penalties. I knew he waits until the last moment for the goalkeeper´s movement so it was such a fight but he kicked it really great. Nevertheless, we didn´t fall down and kept playing,“ Petr Bolek describes.

On 11 minutes Marek Bakoš equalized the score. „We talked before the match that we want to play on the sides and centre the ball in the 28-yard box. We finally made it but only once. I´m glad I scored but I more appreciate the point we gained,“ Marek Bakoš adds.

The match was watched by over 10 thousand fans and they have to go home happy. „We played at home in front of our supporters and they always play a big role in those matches, no matter if the opponent is Příbram or Roma. All of them are here under pressure. The atmosphere was amazing and I enjoyed it very much. We´d like to thank our fans,“ Petr Bolek closes.