Two weeks long vacation is over, Viktoria has already started its pre-season preparations. After the Thursday’s performance tests, Viktorians are looking forward for the first team practice session. The team was joined by new acquisitions and players returning from loans.

The pre-season period was launched on Thursday 23rd July with the performance tests. The following day is reserved for the first team practice session taking place in the sports centre on the Luční street.

Viktoria welcomed some new faces. New asset from Liberec Matěj Hybš joined the team, the duo Kaša – Káčer from Žilina has already been practicing with the team for some time. Pavel Šulc and Lukáš Matějka are returning from loans. The loan for Jindřich Staněk has been extended till 31st December with an option possibility. Recently, Ondřej Mihálik has become a core player of Viktoria.

On the other hand, Šimon Gabriel will not be preparing with the team, as he was sent on loan to Mladá Boleslav. The loan in Boleslav was also extended for Dominik Janošek, Ubong Ekpai continues on loan in České Budějovice. The loan for Iván Díaz has expired. Roman Hubník leaves the team and joins Sigma Olomouc, Erik Pačinda was transferred to Spartak Trnava. The club also agreed that Adam Hloušek and Christián Herc can look for a new contract elsewhere.

Adrian Guľa´s team will play five practice matches, but only one of them in Pilsen – on the 1st August at 11am against Dynamo České Budějovice. Unfortunately, due to hygienic measures, the match will be played behind closed door. The club will arrange a live stream for the fans. Afterwards, the team leaves for training camp in Austria and will play 4 practice matches there. Due to local authorities orders, the matches will be played without spectators as well.

There’s a double match on the schedule on 7th August. At 11am, Viktoria will face WSG Swarovski Tirol, at 5pm the team will play against Altach. On the 11th August at 6pm, Adrian Guľa’s team challenges the Romanian leading club CSU Craiova, the last practice match against St. Pölten takes place on 14th August at 4pm.

The new season should begin on 21st August, nevertheless the schedule will be confirmed after the 5th August draw. Pilsen will also compete in the 2nd qualifying round of UEFA Champions League, the draw takes place on 10th August in Nyon.

Current roster for 2020 pre-season period

Goaltenders: Aleš Hruška, Jindřich Staněk, Dominik Sváček.
Defenders: Jakub Brabec, Milan Havel, Lukáš Hejda, Matěj Hybš, Filip Kaša, David Limberský, Luděk Pernica, Radim Řezník.
Midfielders: Marko Alvir, Pavel Bucha, Aleš Čermák, Tomáš Hořava, Miroslav Káčer, Lukáš Kalvach, Joel Ngandu Kayamba, Jan Kopic, Jan Kovařík, Ondřej Mihálik, Pavel Šulc.
Strikers: Jean-David Beauguel, Tomáš Chorý, Lukáš Matějka.

New assets: Jindřich Staněk (loan from České Budějovice extended), Matěj Hybš (Liberec), Filip Kaša (Žilina), Miroslav Káčer (Žilina), Pavel Šulc (returning from loan in České Budějovice), Lukáš Matějka (returning from loan in Ústí nad Labem), Ondřej Mihálik (transfer from Alkmaar).

Leaving the team: Šimon Gabriel (Mladá Boleslav, loan), Iván Díaz (loan expired), Roman Hubník (Olomouc), Erik Pačinda (Spartak Trnava), Jakub Šiman (contract expired), Jan Suchan (contract expired), Michal Hlavatý, Lukáš Pfeifer a Filip Čihák (loan in Pardubice extended for all three), Ondřej Štursa (returning from loan in Sokolov, transferred to B-team), Dominik Janošek (loan in Mladá Boleslav extended), Ubong Ekpai (České Budějovice, loan).

Under consideration: Adam Hloušek, Christián Herc (both looking for a new contract elsewhere)

Pre-season schedule

23rd July Performance tests
24th July First team practice session
1st August FCVP - České Budějovice (11am, Luční street)
5th August Leaving for training camp in Austria
7th August WSG Tirol - FCVP (11am)
7th August Altach - FCVP (5pm)
11th August CSU Craiova - FCVP (6pm)
14th August St. Pölten - FCVO (4pm)
14th August Return from training camp in Austria

- all the practice matches will be played behind closed door