yesterday, 14/04/2024 19:02 Lukáš Svoboda photo: MFK Zemplín Michalovce Zahraničí
The work that František Straka is doing in Michalovce looks incredible. An experienced coach in the east of Slovakia took over a disorganized team that collected only six points in twenty rounds and was one of the main candidates for direct relegation to the second league. However, after the 1:0 win over Banská Bystrica, the situation is completely different. Michalovce can avoid even a treacherous barrage.
Zemplín pod Straka has not yet lost in the league. With a balance of four wins and three draws, he collected 15 points in seven games and left the relegation zone for the first time under the leadership of the Czech coach. They are currently in tenth place only thanks to a better difference in scores, but compared to Košice, they are in significantly better form.
On Saturday in Banská Bystrica, Michalovce took three points after two goalless draws and did not concede a goal for the fifth time in a row. “Solid defense was the basis of success. We knew that the opponent had strong sides, but our defenders did a great job and didn’t let them have any significant chances. We left the match behind and the result is a well-deserved reward for us. I’m proud of the team,” praised the Magpie.
STRAKA SPREADS IN SLOVAKIA, HIS MICHALOVCE CELEBRATES THIRD WIN IN A ROW. I WILL KEEP WHIPING IT, HE PROMISED
Michalovce, on the field of the best team in the group, threatened to stay mainly from quick counterattacks. After one of them, in the 85th minute, Gino van Kessel decided on an important win for the team from the eastern tip of Slovakia. The former most expensive player in the Czech league stuck the ball in front of an opponent on the edge of the box and scored his fifth goal of the season with a shot at the back post.
“We would have taken a point, but in the end we have three, so we have to be satisfied. The boys managed the match brilliantly from a tactical point of view. We thickened the middle of the field and threatened mainly from breaks. In the first half, we dealt with them poorly, but at the end of the second half, one took over and we decided the match.” said Magpie.
His team currently has salvation in their hands. With five rounds to go, he only needs to collect more points than the penultimate Košice, who have not scored in three of the last four matches.
STRAKA CLEARLY WAKE UP MICHALOVEC: PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS TO CHANGE THE PLAYERS’ MINDSET AND SET THE MENTAL PAGE
