In the league, Pilsen under Martin Hyský organizes goal races and collects wild results. On the European stage, the West Bohemian club is writing a different scenario. Viktoria drew 0:0 with Freiburg in Thursday’s Europa League match. In the match, she had passages when she could score, finally she repeated the goalless evening with Fenerbahce. In the autumn league phase, it remains undefeated after five rounds. There are three games left to play, before which he is in a good position to advance to the spring playoffs.
Martin Hyský prepared an interestingly composed eleven for his third match of his European career on the Pilsen bench. After more than a month, the recovered captain Matěj Vydra returned to the starting line-up, Tomáš Ladra replaced him after the first half. For the first time (with the exception of the domestic cup), the tall Austrian Florian Wiegele got priority in the goal ahead of the prepared Martin Jedlička. The game worked out for him, and in the second half he also pulled off a key save that prevented a possible winning goal for Freiburg.
In total, Pilsen had more of the game, created a greater number of scoring opportunities. With a better finishing of the events that started promisingly, she could have taken the full number of three points. This is how it ended, just like the last time on the European stage against Fenerbahce.
“I have to praise the whole team for how they worked. There were a lot of good individual performances. Both stoppers played a good match, Lukáš Červ with Matěj Valenta in the middle of the midfield as well. Amar Memič and Merchas Doski are in great form, they brought comfort from the national team meetings and both gave a very good performance. Rafiu Durosinmi played a great game, Cheick Souaré as well. The spectators must have enjoyed it again. It’s a shame that we didn’t finish the match in three points,” Pilsen coach Martin Hyský praised his team.
Freiburg was angry at the beginning, but Viktoria started to heat up as the first half progressed. She excelled at active pressing and bold one-on-one play at the back. Rafio Durosinmi’s goal after Matěj Valenta’s corner was disallowed by the Danish referee Morten Krogh, Vydra, Souaré or Prince Ada had interesting chances.
Hyský: Wiegele has shown that he has what it takes
In the second half, Durosinmi or Amar Memič, the best player of the match, could have asserted themselves again. But none of the actions ended with a goal. In the five rounds so far, Viktoria has collected two wins and three draws, the continuous gain of nine points means a solid starting position for possible advancement to the spring playoffs.
The use of individual members of the eleven was interesting – Cheick Souaré, originally a wing player, becomes a striker complementing the striker Rafio Durosinmi. Rychlík Memič covers the entire side of the pitch from the right-back position and is in the best form he has ever had in Pilsen.
The home players obviously enjoyed the chosen method of play, bold attacking brought possession of the ball and the associated chances. After the break, there were more and more crosses into Freiburg’s penalty area, the German opponent mainly defended most of the time.
However, Pilsen’s activity waned slightly over time, the fragile spectators also entertained themselves by applauding Miroslav Koubek, who was watching the match in the stands. He gestured to them with a smile and greeted them from a distance. On the contrary, the guests could have struck – a dangerous shot by substitute Johan Manzambi was fantastically saved by Wiegele.
“I have to praise him. He got the opportunity and took it with all his might, he looked very confident and held us back. He showed that he can handle it,” praised Hyský, who preferred the Austrian goalkeeper to the usual number one Jedlička. “The decision was made after the match in Jablonec. If you look at the last matches in the league, eight goals is too much. We decided to get Florian into the goal. I’m glad he managed it,” said the Pilsen coach.
Hyský: We have a super prepared playground. He dismantled his opponent, Vydra is already ready
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