On Wednesday 20th October Viktoria Plzeň welcomed Astra Giurgiu, the second team out of the Europa League group stage E. In this match Viktoria fought for keeping in touch with the top standings of the group, which was currently occupied by AS Roma and Austria Wien.

Astra showed right at the beginning of the match that they were going to use all their strongest guns and they had quick counter-breaks in Viktoria´s defence. The defender Lukáš Hejda was very busy when destoying two dangerous actions of their opponent. On 10 minutes Giurgiu were very close to the gate because Denis Alibec had a perfect timing when running behind the Viktoria´s defensive line and appeared alone in front of Kozáčik. The Slovakian goalkeeper performed great and support his team by a perfect save. 8 minutes later Milan Petržela beat his man and crossed the ball in the 18-yard box where Marek Bakoš rebounded it off the goal. On 22 minutes Tomáš Hořava shot in the middle of the gate but the goalkeeper Lungo stood there ready. One minute later Alibec made the defensive busy again but his attempt aimed off the goal. With the end of the half-time approaching the Doosan Arena was hotter and hotter because Viktorians had several promising chances, however, on 41 minutes Denis Alibec received a ball and promptly scored – 0:1. It was the half-time result.

In the 2nd half Kozáčik was greeted by Budescu´s attempt but the goalkeeper was careful. Soon after that the Romanian team burst ouf of joy for the second time then Mansala fought the ball and passed it to Alibec. His shot was rebounded by Tomáš Hořava and Astra were in lead 0:2. On 54 minutes the coach Pivarník replaced Michal Ďuriš by a tall player Tomáš Poznar. Afterwards Marek Bakoš was substituted by Michael Krmenčík. Roman Pivarník tried to react on his team´s dull game by the third substitution and Martin Zeman went out, Jan Kovařík in. On 81 minutes Milan Petržela appeared in a promising chance when he run through the defensive block but he failed in the final phase. On 85 minutes Poznar was fouled by the defence and Viktoria was directed a free kick. Tomáš Hořava executed it but failed, nevertheless, he quickly run against the rebounded ball and placed it behind the goal line. The score was increased to 1:2 but Viktoria did not have enough time to do more in this match ald lost.

FC Viktoria Plzeň - FC Astra Giurgiu 1:2 (0:1)

Plzeň: Kozáčik - Řezník, Hejda, Baránek, Limberský - Petržela, Hořava, Kace, Zeman (76. Kovařík) - Ďuriš (53. Poznar), Bakoš (64. Krmenčík)

Astra Giurgiu: Lung - Sapunaru, Geraldo Alves, Fabrício - Morais, Seto, Lovin (90.+2 Oros), Mansaly, Lazič - Alibec (90. Florea), Budescu (84. Ionita)

Goals: 86. Hořava - 41. Alibec, 64. own Hořava YC: Baránek, Krmenčík, Petržela - Mansaly Referees: Eskov - Mosjakin, Demeško (all Russia)