So who will coach Miroslav Koubek choose next to Tomáš Souček in the Czech national team’s starting line-up for the March tie? On Lukáš Červ, Michal Sadílek? Or someone else? One closely-watched mini-fight that could give a hint took place at the Androv Stadium: Michal Beran vs. Vladimir Darida. The Olomouc midfielder won it, as well as the whole match (1:0). It was Beran who robbed Darida of the ball before Jan Kliment’s goal. And thanks to that, Sigma leapfrogged Hradec in the table.
First of all – they were a joy to watch. Both. Michal Beran on one side, Vladimír Darida on the other. The midfielder from Olomouc, who is ten years younger, is a symbol of the newly formed Olomouc and also the club’s most expensive signing in history. Since autumn, he has also been a member of the national team, whose captain was, on the other hand, Darida for many years. His comeback to the national team is a real option, that is known, although neither the leader of Hradec Králové nor the representatives of the national team wanted to comment on the content of the meeting.
But what can be commented on is the clash of Aries vs. Darida. It was their personal fight that broke up Hané’s duel. The home midfielder robbed a more experienced opponent of the ball, Ahmad Ghali skilfully pushed it to Jan Kliment, and he – just like before the injury – made no mistake. Goal after nine months!
“It was decided by one loss, one mistake,” lamented the guest coach David Horejš. “We want the guys to play so that it’s not an alibi. This happens. We’ve already had two or three such things there before. Vláda himself knows that he gave himself an extra touch. But he takes all the responsibility and the weight of the passing on himself. I’d rather forgive him for this than if he hides as an alibi. This is how we set it up. He is one of our key players, I wouldn’t worry about it at all. He also showed a high performance in the preparation.”
He didn’t say it fully above, but he mentioned an important factor. Darida is alone in many things. Although especially in the first half, the East Bohemians looked good in combination and outnumbered the Sigma players thanks to two scores, the thirty-five-year-old fighter remained alone as time went on.
“It’s true. We can’t want Vláďa to play every ball and finish in the goal. The other ten of us have to be more active, my performance was not strong. I will focus on being better,” assessed Daniel Trubač, a winter reinforcement from Teplice, self-critically.
One technical error doesn’t change the fact that Darida is still an above-standard dude. “Would he be suitable for the national team? That’s more of a question for Mr. Koubek, but he would certainly be valid if he wants him,” said Horejš.
Counterpart Tomáš Janotka, for a change, praised his central treasures, which together amounted to more than one hundred million crowns. “Bery read the situation brilliantly and showed a perfect gain and pressing situation. Overall, I was satisfied with the way the center worked. Pety Baráth was emphatic, aggressive. He showed the direction where we wanted to lead the game to a winning end. They both played the ball.”
Griger is apparently on his way out
Hradec can enjoy substitute Marko Regža, the Latvian forward indicated potential. He was felt, he could even equalize, but Jan Koutný was against it. Thanks to this, the talented pupil is celebrating the eighth zero. Back to Regž: expect him in the starting lineup soon. Mick Van Buren was invisible and Adam Griger is leaving for Slovan Bratislava.
“We know that Adam is probably not satisfied with the workload. And we want players who want to wear the Hradec Králové jersey. It depends on him, we have always done our best for him. If he wants a change…” coach Horejš described the situation surrounding the Slovak forward. And it was clear from him that he probably doesn’t count too much on the fact that Griger would return to such a mental setting to help the club.
However, the duo Martin Suchomel and Jan Mejdr might help. According to information from iSport, both (wing) players would be damned good for both in the Malšovice Arena. Just like Tom Slončík or Jakub Elbel, who already appeared for a few minutes in a blue jersey. He was withdrawn prematurely from loan.
“You know I’m sorry… He helped us,” Horejš shrugged. “And if Suchomel and Mejdre want to wear our jersey? You have to call them,” he laughed. “Of course we are interested, we want to add to the team, we are not in a good position numerically. We will see. We have some names selected, we are in contact. Today is a difficult time. We believe that we will strengthen.”
Speculations about Matěj Mikulenka’s departure were completely put to rest by Janotek. “That he would like to leave for Karviná is old information. I spoke with Miky personally. We count on him, it is not our ambition or motivation to send him anywhere. He has his place in the squad, it is up to him to make his way into the lineup again. We believe in him, no one is giving a damn about him. He has had health problems since December 6, when we had to replace him at half-time with Sparta. Now he has had three full-fledged training sessions, from Monday he will experience a total weekly regime,” explained the coach from Olomouc.
Sleza people are probably unlucky. Mikulenka, but for example also Štěpán Langer, who did not get into the nomination at all, due to the departures of Daniel Vašulín, Simion Michez, Andres Dumitrescu, Muhamed Tijani, Radim Breite and Jan Navrátil, will also be suitable for the European roster. The Conference League play-off with the Swiss Lausanne is approaching.
- Group for the title
- Placement play-off
- Rescue group
CUTTING: Boleslav – Bohemians 2:2. Beautiful goal by Kliment, weakened Jablonec won
Complications for Jablonec: change of goalkeeper and red for reinforcements. The review took three minutes
