line-ups

AC Sparta Praha

Vindahl – Uchenna, Panák (C), Sørensen – Preciado (79. Kadeřábek), P. Vydra, Kairinen, Zelený (64. Kuchta) – Birmančević, Rrahmani (87. Eneme), Mercado (87. Ryneš).

FC Viktoria Plzeň

M. Jedlička – Paluska, Dweh (85. Kabongo), Jemelka – Memić (79. Havel), Červ, Souaré (85. Valenta), K. Spáčil (79. Doski) – M. Vydra (C), Durosinmi, Adu (64. Višinský).

statistics

Goals:56. Mercado, 78. Birmančević (pen.) – 53. M. Vydra

Yellow cards: Preciado, 60. Sørensen, 80. Mercado – 6. Dweh, 45. Adu

Red cards: 74. M. Vydra

Referees: Radina – Kubr, Váňa

Shots on goal: 9:4

Shots off target: 2:5

Corners: 11:2

Offside: 1:2

Fouls: 13:11

Attendance: 17 752

In the ninth round, Viktoria Plzeň traveled to Letná to take on Sparta Prague. The match ended 2-1 for the home team. Matěj Vydra scored for Viktoria.

Matches at Letná are always guaranteed to be thrilling battles, with both teams fighting for every inch of the pitch. This time was no different. The match was intense from the first whistle. The intensity of the match was underlined by the fact that the referee awarded the first yellow card in the 6th minute. It went to Plzeň defender Sampson Dweh.

The fans didn't have to wait long for chances. Viktoria took advantage of a mistake by the home team and quickly went on the counterattack. Matěj Vydra found Prince Adua alone, but he kicked the ball too far ahead and failed to beat the Sparta goalkeeper. At the other end, Patrik Vydra rushed towards Martin Jedlička, but Václav Jemelka intervened in time and slid in to prevent Sparta from taking the lead.

The game was very offensive, with one action following another. In the 20th minute, Prince Adu came to the fore again, pushing his way in front of Vindahl, but the Danish goalkeeper deflected his shot for a corner. Martin Jedlička also performed brilliantly, dealing with a shot from Rrahmani. The Plzeň goalkeeper distinguished himself several more times, for example in the 37th minute, when he neutralized Preciado in a one-on-one duel. The first half ended scoreless. The Viktorians celebrated a goal once, but their celebration was thwarted by the linesman's raised flag.

The second half began at the same pace as the first. In the 53rd minute, captain Matěj Vydra scored the opening goal, heading in a precise cross from Amar Memić. However, Viktoria's lead did not last long, as Sparta equalized just three minutes later.

In the 73rd minute, Matěj Vydra committed a foul in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty. He first gave the Plzeň captain a yellow card, but after consulting VAR, he changed it to a red card. Sparta converted the penalty and took the lead.

Plzeň tried to equalize despite being a man down, but failed. It is worth highlighting the performance of Martin Jedlička, who saved the team several times, as well as the fans in the away section, who cheered the team on to equalize until the final whistle.

Highlights

Photogallery