Mainz, Germany – Sigma Olomouc head coach Tomáš Janotka believes his team is ready to embrace the hostile atmosphere at MEWA ARENA and fight for a quarterfinal berth in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Facing a significant challenge against Bundesliga side 1. FSV Mainz 05, Janotka emphasized his team’s determination to upset the odds. “Everyone probably expects the home side to advance. We are here to spoil their party. Football is beautiful in that the favorite can stumble,” Janotka stated.
The first leg between Sigma Olomouc and Mainz ended in a 0-0 draw in the Czech Republic, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of Thursday’s return leg. Whereas a clean sheet at home was a positive result, Janotka’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances, registering only two shots on target. The challenge now is to identify a way to break down a Mainz defense that has proven challenging to penetrate.
Janotka acknowledged the strength of Mainz’s defensive organization, noting, “If the home side can rely on anything, it’s their excellent organization in defense. Opponents don’t create many scoring opportunities against them. It’s essential to mention that they don’t lose easily. They’ve only lost twice in the calendar year so far, which is commendable. They even lost in Dortmund, conceding from set pieces. The team can rely on their defense.”
Still, Janotka remains optimistic about finding vulnerabilities in the Mainz backline. “I believe People can. As the competition progresses, we’re facing stronger and stronger opponents. The number of chances we create in a match will likely decrease, not increase. That’s why we must value every opportunity we get to score. I’ll be incredibly happy if we can capitalize on any chance we create. We know where Mainz has weaknesses. The question is whether we can exploit them and how we’ll execute our plan on the pitch.”
The coach admitted to some regret about not being able to scout Mainz in person before the match. “Of course, I regret it to some extent. The matches came a bit close together. Just being able to soak up the atmosphere and see things from the stands that you might not see on video is important. From that perspective, it’s a shame. Tomorrow will be about how the players absorb the atmosphere and how they experience the match so it doesn’t affect them too much.”
Sigma Olomouc traveled to Mainz with a full squad, a decision Janotka explained was made to foster team spirit and cohesion. “We decided to do this for the sake of the collective, the togetherness, and the team spirit. We don’t need to deal with certain things these days, and the club allowed everyone to be here. We have three groups of players: those who are part of the squad, those who are healthy and will train on Thursday, and those who are injured. I’m very glad that everyone can be here, experience the pre-match training, see the stadium, and soak up the atmosphere. I told the guys on the video to remember these moments and recall them when we play matches in the Chance Liga. We play for this. Even though not everyone was lucky enough to make the squad this time, we’re playing to be in the cups again next time, when these players can experience it. Just soaking up the atmosphere of the Conference League is a perfect experience for them. I’m very glad we’re all here.”
Regarding team availability, Janotka confirmed that Jan Král remains unavailable due to injury, serving as a backup in case of emergencies. Yasser will undergo a training session to assess his fitness, but is expected to be available. Abdou Sylla returns from a suspension, and Honza Kliment is fully fit and ready to play. Watch Janotka’s pre-match press conference here.
With progression requiring a win in Germany, Janotka hinted at a proactive approach. “I would like that very much. But there are two sides to it. One that wants it, and the other that has to allow it and accept it. It’s likely to be a tactical battle, like in the home game. I think the home side will be much more courageous and want to start the match more actively. They weren’t satisfied with their intensity and performance in Olomouc. We will definitely have to be active. I think, although I would like it, it’s very difficult to keep a clean sheet twice against a Bundesliga team. If we managed to repeat that, it would be great. The key to success will be, in addition to a solid defense, being brave and scoring a goal. Relying on keeping a clean sheet won’t be uncomplicated. Scoring a goal will be crucial tomorrow. We talked about it before the match against Lausanne. After the home draw, we knew it was possible. We also knew that offensive activity would be essential. Lausanne scored a lot of goals, and it was likely they would score against us. Mainz’s strength is so great that keeping a clean sheet won’t be easy. The key to success will be activity.”
Penalty practice hasn’t been fruitful for Sigma, according to Janotka. “We practiced them yesterday, and it didn’t head well at all. We played a game and then had a penalty shootout. We hit the posts. I’m glad it didn’t go well for the players, as they won’t make the mistake of missing twice in a row.”
When asked about his assessment of Sigma’s chances of advancing, Janotka remained realistic. “I don’t want to be pessimistic. But everyone probably expects the home side to advance. We are here to spoil their party. I saw a prediction of 85 to 15. I saw the odds from the bookmakers, I enjoy watching them, even though I don’t bet. Football is beautiful in that even favorites can stumble. That’s why we’re here today and tomorrow.”
Janotka also reflected on the legacy of former Mainz managers Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp, expressing admiration for Klopp’s direct and dynamic style of play. “Definitely both of them. Personally, Klopp inspired me more. I like his straightforward and courageous approach and his fast, dynamic football. Wherever he’s been, he’s spent some time there and worked systematically and long-term.”
He spoke positively about the MEWA ARENA, anticipating a vibrant atmosphere. “Once we all step onto the pitch and soak up the atmosphere, I believe it will energize us and we’ll appreciate how far we’ve reach. Tomorrow, when the fans are here – not just the home fans, but our fans who are traveling in large numbers – it will be a joy to play here. I believe it won’t overwhelm anyone to the point of limiting their performance. We know that if we want to succeed, we need to push the limits of our potential. I believe a great match awaits us here.”
Preparing the team for the atmosphere was a key focus, Janotka explained. “It’s important how each player handles it here and believes in their abilities. The atmosphere here is consistently boisterous. Giving instructions on the pitch won’t be easy. The guys will have to rely on each other. Our task will be to not get cooked in that pot. We’ve already experienced some things in Europe. We’ve had matches at Slavia and Sparta, although it will be twice as intense here. We have some experience, but this could be another step in our careers and an opportunity to gain more experience.”
Janotka acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion, stating, “This is the biggest match in the club’s recent history, and it’s also a top moment for me personally. I’m very happy with how far we’ve come together.”
Sigma Olomouc will return to Czech Republic league action following the match in Mainz, with a six-day break for the players before resuming their domestic campaign. The focus now, however, remains firmly on Thursday’s crucial encounter at the MEWA ARENA.
What’s next: Sigma Olomouc will face a challenging return to domestic league play after the Conference League tie, with the schedule to be announced shortly. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates.
What do you think? Can Sigma Olomouc pull off an upset in Mainz? Share your predictions in the comments below!
