Don’t expect any creative tricks from the table leader now. He defeated the kangaroos mainly thanks to mental strength, as in a number of previous rounds.
“It is so. We have also talked about this several times in the past. The players stand behind each other, believe in each other and support each other even in the most difficult moments. Together, they form a very strong group that never stops fighting, even in situations where things don’t look the best for us. They always find the strength in themselves to turn the game around,” Brian Priske appreciates after the winning turn to 2:1.
In any case, the first title after nine years is closer again. Sparta’s greatest strength at the end of the season is its character and ability to handle matches, even if the playing conditions are not ideal from its side.
“I have to agree. For the umpteenth game, we somehow made up for it and the game was not good at all. Team spirit and strength in the manchaft are. You can see it, it’s not just said,” striker Jan Kuchta adds to the coach.
“We are happy to have such types of players who can take it. They set an example for others and can pull the whole team to victory, which tastes great,” praises the representative, who first went for a penalty on Saturday, and then scored the winning goal.
The question still remains as to why Sparta is no longer doing as well as when it was clawing its way to first place during the spring.
“Physically we are doing well, in that sense I don’t feel a change. Even that mental side, caused by the current situation, brings some fatigue. After a long time, we as a club are close to such a success, and many guys in the team have not yet experienced something like this,” reflects Priske.
“Maybe that’s why we lack some of the fluidity and dynamism that you were used to during the spring. At the moment, however, the mental side is all the more important. After Christmas, however, we are the best team in the league, scoring a lot of beautiful goals, performing well and getting a lot of points. When you are close to success, it has a certain impact on you,” adds the Danish coach.
Sparta is the next team in line to recognize that the last step is the hardest…
“We don’t think about being tired or depressed after the match. Of course, we may be prickly, but we always get over it. On the other hand, we haven’t won a title in nine years. Some players here don’t have a title at all, some do,” points out Kuchta, who two years ago led Slavia to the title with his goals.
“Of course, the pressure in Sparta is, was and will be. We’ve had a great time. We will take that step in Slovácko,” assures the gunner. Because of the fourth yellow card, he will only remain in the stands in Uherské Hradiště.
“I will miss the club, but I will go to Slovácko. I will be at every training session to be with the team so that they feel at least supported by me. We have a strong staff to stand in for me, or anyone else. I believe that we will get to where we want to go,” hopes Kuchta.
