After two ties Viktoria conceded a loss. They were beaten by CSKA Sofia 1-2 in Estepona, although they were leading 1-0 after Beauguel’s penalty kick. However, their opponent equalized and finally scored a winning goal.

Mid-season, Mon 28th Jan 2019, 16:00, Arroyo Enmedio, Estepona

Plzeň: Kozáčik – Havel (68. Ekpai), Hubník (68. Pernica), Hejda (68. Piroch), Limberský (80. Bucha) – Procházka (68. Hořava), Hrošovský – Kayamba (68. Petržela), Čermák (68. Bakoš), Kovařík – Beauguel (68. Chorý).

CSKA Sofia: Stipica – Atanasov (70. Pereira), Chorbadzhiyski, Bodurov, Geferson (27. Manolev) – Pinto (58. Rodrigues), Antov (46. Bikel) – Jorginho (46. Henrique), Malinov, Gyasi (90. Lyaskov) – Evandro (46. Maurides).

Goals: 36. Beauguel (pen.) – 43. Gyasi (pen.), 79. Henrique, YC: Pinto, Malinov, 2nd YC = RC: 55. Pinto, Referees: Sanchez – Fernandez, Perez.

The match was opened very carefully on both sides. A strong breeze made the aerial game worse for both teams but on the ground Viktorians were better because of their frequent chances on opponent’s goal. The first chances of Kayamba and Procházka were blocked by Sofia’s defence.

Goalkeeper Stipica had to save dangerous Kovařík’s attempt by rebound on a corner. In the 36th minute he found the ball in his goal already when conceding a penalty kick. Beauguel went to take it and gave the goalkeeper no chance. Nevertheless, Sofia equalized until the break by Edwin Gyasi. 

At the beginning of second half Beauguel had a chance to return the score on their side but he missed the target from a free kick. Then the fans watched a period without bigger chances on both sides, after which CSKA’s defender Pinto had to leave the pitch for two yellow cards. About 20 minutes before the end Pavel Vrba substituted seven players.

Soon after participating in the game Hořava had a good shooting position but his low attempt was saved by Stipica. On the other side Rafael Henrique took advantage from his position and scored.

Viktorians put Sofia under pressure and were trying hard to equalize.Ubong Ekpai attempted well but his shot was rebounded off by Dante Stipica as well as several following attempts to break into the box or to shoot. Plzeň lost to Sofia 1-2.

Roman Procházka’a Commentary

 “First half was very good from our side and we could score more than one goal. It‘s a shame we conceded the goal at the end of the match,” he regretted after spending 68 minutes on pitch. “We didn’t start the second half ideally and CSKA later took the initiative.”