European League

After five matches they kept a clean sheet, at the same time they are already waiting for a win in four matches. In the 2nd round of the main phase of the European League, Viktoria Plzeň drew 0:0 with Bulgarian Ludogorets Razgrad. Martin Jedlička’s contribution was key. The home goalkeeper caught a penalty at the end of the second half and significantly contributed to the second point in the table. After a period of waiting for a chance as a substitute, he became the hero of the evening.

The tactically led match in the packed Doosan arena was stirred by the situation from the end of the second half. Hungarian referee Tamás Bognár went to examine Václav Jemelka’s hand in the goal after a warning from VAR. The replays clearly showed that the Pilsen stopper went lightly against the ball with his hand and the verdict was clear – a penalty.

Pilsen goalkeeper Martin Jedlička shone in his excellent discipline. Jakub Piotrowski was aiming for his left hand on the ground, the goalkeeper read the shooter correctly and calmly caught the ball. The key intervention of the evening!

Jedlička recalled the moments from the spring, when in Pilsen he eliminated penalties during a successful shootout in the rematch of the round of 16 of the Conference League against the Swiss Servette. At that time, he fired only one shot out of four attempts behind his back and became the main architect of the historic progress.

In the current season, he had to wait before returning to the Pilsen goal. He struggled for a long time from illness, then the excellent catcher Marián Tvrdonň was given priority. Jedlička only got a chance in the half-time substitution at Slavia, where, on the other hand, the match did not suit Tvrdoň at all and he conceded three goals. On Thursday night, he caught his third straight complete game, his first shutout.

Pilsen significantly helped to the point, although the home team was optically better, but against the Bulgarian champion, they struggled going forward. In the first half, Adu’s only chance got the audience out of their seats, and the offense got more moving only after Jedliček’s caught penalty.

The closest to the goal was Daniel Vašulín, whose good finish ended up on the post. Pilsen pressed in the end, but did not get the ball into the net. A point in the table on the European stage is not bad, but Viktoria has already been waiting for a win for four matches. He has another chance on Sunday after lunch against Pardubice.

Coach Koubek prepared two interesting moves for Razgrad together with his colleagues. They sent Erik Jirka to the right side from the first minute, but he did not make much of an impact in the less usual position. Jiří Panoš operated alongside Pavel Šulec. The 16-year-old talent went to the base in a sharp game for the Pilsen A team only for the second time and showed above-standard things on the set.

In Košice against Kryvbas, where Plzeň was playing in the 3rd qualifying preliminary round, he stunned with a wonderful goal with his refined left foot. He also did well in front of a packed Doosan Arena against the Bulgarian champions. He only played the first half, but at a very solid level.

He operated in an offensive position alongside Pavel Šulec, together they complemented the center forward Prince Adu. Watching the technical skills of a young lad from the stands is a football delight. In the first half, Panoš handed out three cribs to much older and more experienced opponents, the spectators in the stands applauded in appreciation. He is confident about his age and is not afraid of difficult solutions, he has solidly mixed up his opponents several times.

The coaches showed courage that they believe in the youngster. Most of the dangerous actions that Viktoria came up with went through him in the first act. Nevertheless, he was the one who stayed in the dressing room during the break. Due to a health problem, Panoš received an unpleasant blow to the calf at the end of the half.

Pilsen kept a clean sheet after a five-match wait, after a 3:3 draw in Frankfurt added another point to the table of the main phase of the Europa League. Considering the other opponents (PAOK Thessaloniki, Real Sociedad, Dynamo Kyiv, Anderlecht Brussels, Bilbao), the remaining two, which the team left on the field, can be significantly different in the final total.

Assemblies

Home: Jedlička – Dweh, Marković, Jemelka – Jirka (64. Kopic), Červ, Kalvach (C), Cadu (87. Mosquera) – Panoš (46. Vašulín), Šulc – Adu (71. Ricardinho).

Guests: Bonmann – Witry, Verdon, D. Almeida (78th Terziyev), Son – Chočev (78th Duarte), Naressi, Piotrowski (C) – Vidal (34th A. Camara), Seco (67th Duah), Rick.

Substitutes

Home: Tvrdon, Hejda, Paluska, Ricardinho, Kopic, Vydra, Sojka, Mosquera, Havel, Slončík, Valenta, Vašulín

Guests: Padt, Christov, Terzijev, Duah, Gropper, Camara, Duarte, Pemperski, Marcus

Cards

Home: Schulz

Guests: Son, Rick

Referee

Bognár – Buzás, Kóbor (všichni HUN)

Stadium

Doosan Arena, Pilsen

Visit

10317 viewers