Plzeň is navigating a hard stretch of form. Following elimination from the Europa League and a heavy 3-0 league defeat at Zlín, another blow landed on Thursday – a 3-0 loss in the Czech Cup to Karviná. Viktoria Plzeň manager Martin Hyský, 50, expressed his deep disappointment with his team’s performance after the match.
“We are extremely dissatisfied with how today’s match went and with the result we are leaving with. It’s simply about our performance,” Hyský told Oneplay Sport.
He pinpointed a lackluster first half as a key factor in the defeat. “It was very sluggish, lacking tempo and quality. Our football is now terribly overworked. We are unable to score goals, and at the same time, we are conceding cheap goals,” he assessed.
This marks the third consecutive competitive loss for Plzeň. “we absolutely cannot be satisfied, and a reaction is needed,” emphasized the head coach of the West Bohemian club.
Defender Dávid Krčík echoed his manager’s sentiments, expressing his frustration after the match. “Huge disappointment. That’s not how we imagined the match at all. We wanted to reach the semi-finals,” he admitted.
Krčík explained that the players addressed the situation with the fans immediately after the final whistle. “There were some harsh, but also encouraging words exchanged. All we can do now is work hard,” he added.
The defender acknowledged that the primary issues stemmed from within Viktoria’s own performance. “We were inaccurate both in midfield and in the final phase. Karviná capitalized on that and then scored two quick counter-attack goals. The mistake was more on our side than it was about the opponent’s style of play,” he explained.
Hyský attempted to revitalize the team during the halftime break. “He wanted to liven up the team with substitutions. We needed to speed up the game and deliver crosses into the box, but unfortunately, we couldn’t break through,” described Krčík.
The defeat is particularly painful for Viktoria, coming just a week after their elimination from the Europa League following a penalty shootout loss to Panathinaikos. “I am terribly disappointed. This week was very decisive for us, and we didn’t manage it,” Hyský conceded.
With only the league competition remaining, Plzeň’s focus has narrowed. “Now we have only one goal – to finish the league as best as possible and in the highest possible position,” the coach concluded. The next match for the West Bohemians is scheduled for Sunday, when they will travel to face Hradec Králové.
The situation at Viktoria Plzeň is undoubtedly concerning. The team’s recent struggles highlight a clear require for improvement in both attack and defense. For fans unfamiliar with the Czech First League, the competition typically sees the top teams vying for spots in European competitions, making a strong finish crucial for clubs like Plzeň with European ambitions.
Hyský, who took the helm of Viktoria Plzeň in March 2026, signing a three-year contract, faces an immediate challenge to turn the team’s fortunes around. His previous success in Karviná suggested a promising appointment, but the current form raises questions about his ability to quickly implement his tactical vision. The club, as noted by chairman Adolf Šádek, prioritized hiring a “modern and very ambitious coach,” and now the pressure is on Hyský to deliver results.
The club has also made changes to the coaching staff alongside Hyský’s arrival, bringing in Radim Grussmann as assistant, Václav Winter as goalkeeper coach, and Petr Hejný and Tomáš Pupkay as fitness coaches. While some members of the previous staff remain, the shakeup indicates a desire for a fresh approach. Whether these changes will translate into improved performances on the pitch remains to be seen.
Looking ahead, Plzeň’s match against Hradec Králové will be a crucial test. A positive result could provide a much-needed boost in morale and momentum, while another defeat would only deepen the concerns surrounding the club. The team will need to rediscover its attacking spark and tighten up defensively if it hopes to salvage something from the season.
The Czech First League is known for its competitive nature, and Plzeň will face tough challenges in the remaining matches. The team’s ability to overcome this current slump will depend on Hyský’s leadership, the players’ commitment, and a collective effort to address the underlying issues that have plagued their recent performances.
Viktoria Plzeň will need to quickly address the issues identified by both Hyský and Krčík – a lack of tempo, inaccuracy in midfield, and vulnerability on the counter-attack. The upcoming match against Hradec Králové presents an opportunity to demonstrate improvement and commence the process of rebuilding confidence.
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