The atmosphere before the Champions League match SK Slavia Prague – FC Barcelona | Video: Diary/Dominik Pánek
How were the cards dealt before the game of Eden? While Slavist’s shares for promotion to the playoffs were limited to zero, Barca was hanging around in the middle of the table. The team led by Hansi Flick needed to score points in Prague. However, the Spaniards unexpectedly stumbled 1:2 with Real Sociedad in the Champions League general and lost their eleven-game streak of competitive victories.
From the opening whistle, the Catalans indicated what kind of recipe they had prepared for the underdogs. In addition to the dominant play on the ball, they also prepared a pass into the box, which the Spaniard Fermín finished over the crossbar. But the home team soon responded. After a corner kick to the ball Vasil Kušej poked it past the back post into the net. The red and white stands roared.
After a short pause, Flick’s team began to react to the unfavorable situation. And the siege of the great lime bore fruit. A few quick passes were enough for Fermín Lopéz to get into a good shooting position. And he didn’t hesitate from the edge – 1:1.
Soon the 22-year-old player was rejoicing again when he sent a fluffy ball from mid-range right to the post. But the giant did not take advantage of the favorable development – he paid the price for laxity in standard situations. For the second time, after the corner kick, Slavia rejoiced. The aerial projectile didn’t fit defensive star Robert Lewandowski, who beat his own goalkeeper. The end of the first half resembled – in a good way – football wilderness…
It stopped after half time, if we don’t count the reviewed VAR for Frenkie De Jong’s stop, Barca nevertheless struck in the 63rd minute. After the loss of home Sanyang and a short siege, Dani Olmo asked for the floor. And he hit in an exemplary manner, after all, he also swept away the right crossbar of Staňko’s goal. Robert Lewandowski added the insurance a few minutes later.
Even so, the people of Prague put on a solid performance against the favourites. “Guys, thank you. Guys, thank you,” echoed from the Eden stands towards the end.
