Despite the 1: 3 defeat in the opening match of the European Conference League on the Prague Slavia pitch, the German press highlighted the combativeness of the Union Berlin footballers, who had to play more than half in weakening numbers.
The comments of the Czech champion were described by the commentators as deserved, but the decisive goal of Jan Kuchta six minutes before the end was as happy. The media felt that the point behind the draw was not far for Union.
“The first match in the newly created competition was undoubtedly a big event for Železná (nickname of the Berlin team). The only thing that failed at this festival was the result. Slavia beat them 3: 1 after an initially unstable but eventually passionate performance,” wrote the Berliner Zeitung .
According to the media, the development of the match was also influenced by the exclusion of Paul Jaeckel at 1: 0 for the Prague team in the 40th minute. “Jaeckel had previously been warned by a yellow card and received a second yellow and red card in a clumsy effort to eliminate the break. The Union thus faced a predominance of dominant Praguers,” Spiegel said, calling it an extremely challenging task. “Slavia did not lose in her league at the home stadium for almost three years,” the author reminded.
The strength of the Czech champion was also appreciated by the Berliner Zeitung. “Due to their participation in three competitions, they are spinning in the line-up. However, it is true that Jindřich Trpišovský’s team was formed for the Champions League,” the daily wrote.
However, the press praised coach Urs Fischer for his reaction in the future. “Fischer, who told his players from the tenth minute to close the ranks, moved from the 3-5-2 system to 4-4-1 in the hope that the team would retain a chance for points as long as possible thanks to a stable defense,” said Berliner Zeitung .
The media appreciated both the support of three thousand visiting fans at the stadium and the fourfold rotation of the Union in the 59th minute. It was the interplay of two new players, Sherald Becker, and finishing Kevin Behrens, that brought twenty minutes before the end of the equalization. “Something like this can be described as a golden hand for the coach,” wrote the Berliner Zeitung.
However, the final ten minutes belonged to the Czech champion, who, after the goals of Kuchta and Ivan Schranz, took the win on his side. “Slavia was shocked out of nowhere. The newly acquired leadership of the Praguers was extremely surprising and happy. Nicolae Stancia’s long-range missile bounced off Robin Knoche on Kuchta and it was easy for him,” Spiegel wrote.
“The Irons kept a draw, sometimes they were even better, but they left the field as a loser because it was lucky for the people of Prague in the last quarter of an hour.
The Bz-Berlin.de server then evaluated the match with conflicting impressions. “It’s a pity. Maybe a point could have been scored. Urs Fischer made big changes, but the opponent was also able to improve at 1: 1. during the break, despite the numerical disadvantage, they returned to the match, but later they collected two unfortunate goals, “the website added.
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