“We went into it with the intention of catching the opponent’s pressure in the beginning and creating chances for a counterattack,” said Slavia coach Jindřich Trpišovský after Sunday’s 0:0 draw.
The events on the Letne lawn gradually showed that it remained only an afterthought.
Photo: Sport.cz
Statistics from the Sparta – Slavia derby.
Slavia stopped at 0.26 in the xG (expected goals) statistic. Sparta wasn’t much more famous, but let’s stick with Slavia. If she hypothetically played four matches in which she performed identically and shot from the same positions, she would only score one goal in 360 minutes of play!
A rather lousy business card for a team that has been setting off offensive fireworks under coach Trpišovský for a long time.
Opta has been recording xG statistics in the Czech league since the 2020/21 season, and in less than four years, Slavia was less dangerous only once. In April 2022, she won 2-0 in Jablonec with an xG value of 0.25, meaning she scored from opportunities that analysts would definitely not call a decent chance.
And Slavia’s other harmless performances during the period under review? 0.35 xG in Jablonec in May 2021. 0.44 xG in Budějovice last March. 0.52 xG on Sparta in October 2021 derby.
At that time, Slavia was attacking for the third league title in a row, its old rival from the opposite bank of the Vltava entered the matches more like an outsider.
The last derby offered a completely different spectacle. “The opponent changed tactics, left the initiative to us and mainly focused on defense. He showed us the respect we deserve,” explained Sparta coach Brian Priske.
Slavia showed us respect by changing tactics! She gave us the initiative, Brian Priske evaluates the derbyVideo: Sport.cz
Slavia voluntarily gave up its advantage, with which it dominates the domestic competition. During the current season, she won and kept the ball in the attacking third of the pitch in a total of 144 actions. Next order? 2. Boleslav 90, 3. Sparta 89, 4. Pilsen 87. A decent distance from the competition, see?
As a rule, the seamers get the ball six times per match, with which they stay within range of the opponent’s goal. But against Sparta, they managed a similar trick only once.
“In total, Slavia completed 89.8 percent of their passes in their own half,” points out the Opta analysis. Slavists usually spend a little less time in their own half. It just proves how cautious Trpišovský’s group behaved.
It was a pretty logical outcome. Just read the list of names in Slavia’s starting line-up: Vlček, Holeš, Zima, Douděra, Oscar, Masopust, Bořil. Although many started in the derby in different positions, the vast majority of them kicked a lot in defense for Slavia.
Remembrancers may recall, for example, the semi-final of Euro 1996, when coach Uhrin used a defensive line-up during the card disaster against the French, which he strengthened during the goalless duel with stopper Kubík and full-back Kotůlk.
Even on the weekend, it couldn’t have turned out any other way than goalless and dull.
Slavia’s defensive numbers also increased at the weekend when Trpišovský replaced the more attacking all-rounder Schranz for left-footed full-back Diouf at half-time. It was evident that without marauding players like Zafeiris, Ševčík or Wallem, the seamers chronically lack creativity, wit, and maybe even courage in the attacking half.
“On Wednesday, it was a very demanding match in terms of running, over 130 minutes were played together and some players ran over 16 kilometers,” Trpišovský recalled the cup derby with Sparta. “For the league, we wanted fresh players and a different organized defense.”
It was more like tactical chess from both teams, says Jindřich Trpišovský about the derby Video: Sport.cz
If Slavia deserved praise in the league game, they must aim for an honest defense.
Although they came under pressure in the second half, according to the data, this was not caused by cheap losses in their own half of the field, but rather by Sparta’s continuous onslaught.
“If we had a problem defensively, it happened after an opponent’s penalty kick or an out,” Trpišovský revealed aptly.
Photo: Sport.cz
Losses of Slavia in the first half of the derby against Sparta.
Photo: Sport.cz
Losses of Slavia in the second half of the derby against Sparta.
From the defensive ranks of Slavia, two names attracted attention, their inclusion in the lineup required quite a bit of courage from him.
Just four days after his unlucky hand in the lime cut up a balanced cup derby, Tomáš Vlček appeared on the right side of the defense. On the opposite side, the thirty-three-year-old Jan Bořil appeared, who after protracted health vicissitudes plays the role of Slavia’s non-playing captain.
And both more than held their own!
In internet discussions, Sparta fans complained that offensive Lukáš Haraslín’s performance was not up to par. He was largely eliminated by his stitched guard Vlček.
Photo: Sport.cz
Lukáš Haraslín’s contact with the ball during the derby.
Wherever Haraslín moved, his faithful wolfdog Vlček followed him. In the middle, to the line, run to the defenders. Wolf sniffed everywhere. He would probably go to the toilet with Haraslín on Sunday evening. Their contact map with the ball is practically mirror-image. “We definitely used Tomas because of his speed to cover the wings. And I think he gave a great performance,” Trpišovský praised him.
It is no coincidence that the Slovakian winger got their favorite attack only in the second half, when Vlček had already substituted.
Photo: Sport.cz
Contacts with the ball of Tomáš Vlček during the derby.
And Boril? Even before the match, the naysayers objected that the aging leader would find it difficult to catch the attacks of the fast-footed right-hander Preciad. Except for one moment at the end of the first half, it didn’t show. In addition, at the end of the derby, the intrusive Bořil forced the Ecuadorian blond to retaliate childishly, for which he was rightfully expelled.
“We wanted to have a leader on the field who would also help us in the organization of the game,” explained Trpišovský. Bořil’s contribution was also reflected in the statistics.
Touches with the ball? 54, tied for the team lead. Fights for the ball and success in them? 10 and 5, twice the second-highest number among teammates. Catching a pass or the ball? 3, the most in a match. Bořil excelled in some things. He contributed to the fact that Sparta, playing in form, did not create a single big win at home.
Just remember this sentence when the English Premier League leaders Liverpool welcome in the Europa League on Thursday.
Plichta under the given circumstances appears to be valuable for Slavia. However, after taking a point from Letná, the crucial question arises as to whether the precise defense was too little for the attack on the title. But only time will tell.
2024-03-04 19:26:40
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