In the picture, SK Slovan Bratislava coach Vladimír Weiss senior. during the press conference before the rematch of the play-off for the round of 16 of the European Conference League Source: TASR/Pavel Neubauer
BRATISLAVA – The footballers of SK Slovan Bratislava have a third attempt to get past their Austrian opponent in the European Cup. The previous two experiences with Rapid Vienna resulted in elimination for the “Whites”.
In the Intertoto Cup in the summer of 2007 and also eleven years later in the preliminary round of the Europa League, the Austrian team went further.
On Thursday at 9:00 p.m. at the Tehelny pol, Slovan will face a tough task in the form of erasing the three-goal deficit that they brought after losing 1:4 in the opening match of the round of 16 of the European Conference League at Sturm Graz.
The Slovak champion could be energized by a full stadium, as the five-figure crowd will watch the 16th home European match in a row. Slovan started this streak in the summer of 2022 with a duel with Batumi, since then more than 10,000 fans have always come to “Europe”. Only a few hundred tickets are available for the rematch with Sturm.
“Kevin (Wimmer – note) and Blackman are back, but we also have a minus – Vlad (Weiss – note). Milan Borjan is also available, but there will not be many changes in the lineup compared to the first match. We want to play for the people and on victory. We’ll see what we can do. Graz’s lead is big, but we played excellently against them in the first half.
We will see what the fantastic fan support will do for us. We have a deficit of three goals, which is enough. The preparation for the match is based on the fact that we have to play offensively and at the same time pay attention to Sturm’s strengths.” Vladimír Weiss Sr., said Slovan’s pilot.
The Slovak team has never overturned a three-goal deficit in the European Cup, Slovan can change this statistic. “Everything is possible. We have motivation, people will push us to the limit of our abilities. We will give it everything. We have to play so that people applaud us after the match. That is the motto,” added coach Slovan.
A special match for Wimmer
Austrian stopper Kevin Wimmer returns to the lineup after serving a suspension for three yellow cards that cost him a stoppage in the first match in Graz.
“It will be a special match for me, as we are playing against an Austrian team. We know it will be difficult for us, but we are determined to fight with the help of our fans. I believe we will put Sturm under pressure and create chances. We have to score at least three goals , which is not an easy task, but we will try” Wimmer said at the pre-match press conference.
Family members and a large group of friends will come to nearby Bratislava to cheer him on, according to his own words, he procured around 60 tickets for them.
Slovan’s coach will not be able to count on Vladimír Weiss Jr., who received a red card in Graz.
“Every red card is useless. Whether it’s a rough intervention, after two yellow cards, or after indiscipline. But that belongs to football. Vlado knows what he did. I think he apologizes for it. Even if there are things that they can’t be easily excused because it was a mistake. He’s aware of it himself, he’s the captain of the team. But that’s also his nature.
He inherited it from someone, so it’s hard to blame it because it is what it is. It’s probably hard for me to change it. He wanted to help the team, but unfortunately he made a mistake. This also belongs to life. One doesn’t blame him for that, but it happened and it won’t stop. It shouldn’t happen again. I believe not. Life goes on,” said Weiss Sr.
The match between Slovan and Sturm will be led by Israeli referees, such as Orel Grinfeld. It will be broadcast live by RTVS on the sports channel. The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Friday at 1:00 PM in Nyone.
Photo gallery for the article Number of photos: 5
- Author: © List/
- VIDEO: TASR/Jakub Cinderella; YouTube/ŠK Slovan Bratislava
- Source: TASR
2024-02-21 15:30:25
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