Karviná Reaches Czech Cup Semifinals, But Jarolím Urges Focus on League Form
Karviná, Czech Republic – MFK Karviná secured a historic victory over league rivals FC Viktoria Plzeň on Wednesday, advancing to the Czech Cup semifinals for the first time in the club’s history. However, head coach Roman Jarolím quickly tempered the celebrations, emphasizing the urgent need to address the team’s struggles in the Czech First League. The 3-0 win, played at home, was a welcome boost for Karviná, but Jarolím stressed that a strong cup run cannot approach at the expense of their league form.
The match, which kicked off at 16:00 UTC on March 5, 2026, saw Karviná display a level of attacking efficiency that has been missing in their recent league performances. According to reports, the Slezané (as Karviná are known) converted three goals from just five shots, a stark contrast to their previous league outings. “The decisive factor turned out to be the first goal,” Jarolím explained. “You can’t always rely on it, but it’s incredibly important. We’ve seen that ourselves in the league, where we’ve had the first chance in almost all five games, but the opponent scored.”
Karviná’s tactical approach against Plzeň involved deploying two strikers, Ezeh and Vinícius, supported by Ayaosi. “We believed they would provide the team confidence that we could break the deadlock,” Jarolím said. “That with quality players up front, we could exploit the opponent’s high defensive line.” The strategy proved successful, with Ayaosi opening the scoring in the first half, followed by a goal from Labík. Both goals were scored past Plzeň’s Austrian goalkeeper, Wiegele, with shots that went between his legs.
Emmanuel Ayaosi played a pivotal role in Karviná’s triumph, not only scoring the opening goal but also providing the assists for Labík and Kačor. Jarolím acknowledged that Ayaosi’s overall performance wasn’t flawless, but highlighted his effectiveness in front of goal. “However, his overall performance wasn’t ideal before the goal. He had situations he didn’t resolve as we’re used to seeing, but with these players, we count the numbers and efficiency, and that was there.”
Historic Cup Run, But League Struggles Persist
This victory marks the first time Karviná has reached the Czech Cup semifinals. Despite the historic achievement, Jarolím was keen to manage expectations. “It’s a great success for the club, but we mustn’t forget that we have a league match against Pardubice on Sunday and we must confirm this great result,” he emphasized. “We can’t afford to prioritize the cup; we must and want to perform well in the league too.”
Karviná’s league form has been a major concern, with the team having lost all five of their matches in the spring season. This poor run of results has understandably raised questions about Jarolím’s position, with fans reportedly chanting his name in support before the cup tie. “I heard it and thought I misheard, because there are more Marks in the club,” Jarolím said with gratitude. “It made me happy and pleased me. Thank you very much to the fans. It’s a historic moment for the club and the city, so I’m glad to be a part of it, I’m grateful to be coaching in the league. And I believe the journey isn’t over yet, that we can still move forward.”
The Czech Cup semifinal draw is scheduled for March 13th. Karviná will be joined in the draw by the winners of the other quarterfinal ties: Ostrava (who defeated Hradec Králové), Jablonec (who eliminated Slavia), and Mladá Boleslav (who overcame Sparta). Jarolím believes the unexpected results of the quarterfinals demonstrate the competitiveness of the Czech league. “The unexpected composition, but it probably showed the current setup of the teams. Slavia and Sparta are before the derby, which can give one hope in the fight for the title, and the other definitive peace. But they also ran into well-prepared opponents. Boleslav played a perfect match, Jablonec also.”
He added, “After those results, I thought that this would be a key match for Plzeň. It was probably their only chance for a trophy. It turns out that the league is level and when a team isn’t fully focused, surprises can happen. It’s interesting for fans that teams can get into the game and have a really great season with this.”
Looking Ahead: Pardubice and the Semifinal Challenge
Jarolím is confident that his team is capable of balancing their cup ambitions with their league obligations. “The team is prepared to handle both,” he stated. “Our immediate goal is Pardubice, then Olomouc, and then we’ll approach the semifinal with enthusiasm, because it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.”
The coach acknowledged the support he received from the fans, despite the team’s recent struggles. “I’m grateful for the support. It’s a historic moment for the club and the city, and I’m glad to be a part of it. I believe the journey isn’t over yet, and we can still progress.”
Karviná will face Pardubice in their next league fixture, seeking to end their losing streak and build momentum for their upcoming cup semifinal. The team will undoubtedly be buoyed by their recent victory over Plzeň, but Jarolím’s message is clear: league survival remains the priority.
Next Match: Karviná vs. Pardubice, Sunday, March 8, 2026.
What are your thoughts on Karviná’s cup run? Can they turn their league form around? Share your predictions in the comments below!
