line-ups

SK Slavia Praha

Markovič – Holeš, I. Ogbu, Bořil (C) – Isife (66. Kušej), Moses (66. Oscar), M. Sadílek, Jurásek – Sanyang (56. Douděra), Provod – Chorý.

FC Viktoria Plzeň

Wiegele – Sojka (78. Ladra), Krčík, Dweh, Doski – Hrošovský (C), K. Spáčil (78. Jemelka) – Adu (70. Panoš), Souaré, Višinský – Toure.

statistics

Yellow cards: 57. Isife (SLA), 75. M. Sadílek (SLA), 85. Douděra (SLA), 90+3. Holeš (SLA) – 22. Adu (PLZ), 50. Sojka (PLZ), 73. Doski (PLZ), 87. Jemelka (PLZ)

Red cards: 89. Chorý (SLA)

Referees: Radina – Kubr, Pečenka.

Shots on goal: 6:5

Shots off target: 9:4

Corners: 4:3

Offside: 0:1

Fouls: 18:13

Attendance: 18812

The second half brought a noticeably higher tempo and several dangerous moments on both sides. Despite both teams getting into promising finishing positions, the defenses and goalkeepers held firm. The big match in Eden produced no winner and ended goalless.

The top match of the round on Sunday was kicked off by Plzeň. The opening was cautious, offering few clear chances for a long time. Slavia had the first set piece in the 5th minute, but the attempt was blocked and resulted in a corner. Shortly after, Viktoria threatened from the wing as Višinský delivered a cross to Adu, who failed to trouble the goal. Plzeň pressed well and applied tight man-marking. The visitors’ first shot came in the 14th minute, but Wiegele comfortably dealt with the bouncing ball. In the 18th minute, Slavia produced a nice combination, though the finish went straight into the hands of Wiegele. The match then swung from side to side without major chances. In the 27th minute, Toure could have punished a poor pass from Markovič, but the goalkeeper managed to clear the danger. A minute later, Višinský found himself in a promising position but couldn’t beat the keeper. In the 30th minute, Adu did well to get past Holeš and aimed for the far post, but the goalkeeper pushed his effort out for a corner. In the 37th minute, Slavia had a dangerous chance, but Spáčil blocked the shot. A minute later, Bořil found himself completely unmarked in the box but missed the target. Shortly after, the ball flashed dangerously across the penalty area without a finish. Nothing significant happened before halftime, and the teams went into the break in Eden with the score goalless.

The second half started cautiously again and for a long time brought few opportunities. In the 52nd minute, Slavia got the ball out wide, but Spáčil once again blocked the cross. Two minutes later, Adu drove through the middle towards the box, where he was fouled, earning Viktoria a free kick in a promising position. Hrošovský, however, fired over. In the 61st minute, Souaré took a shot that bounced awkwardly in front of Markovič, causing him problems, but Sojka’s follow-up went wide. In the 68th minute, Jurásek got a shot away from close range, but Wiegele made a brilliant save with his foot, and the rebound off Jurásek went wide. Slavia then created significant pressure, but Viktoria held firm, thanks in part to another crucial save by Wiegele. At the other end, Plzeň had a chance in the 84th minute, but once again Markovič kept a clean sheet. Plzeň looked more active in the second half, but Slavia’s solid defense held strong. The match ultimately ended without goals.

Highlights

Photogallery