Dukla Prague Exits MOL Cup Following Narrow Loss to Jablonec

Dukla Prague has been eliminated from the MOL Cup after a 0:1 defeat to Jablonec at Juliska Stadium. The decisive moment arrived in the 34th minute when Lamin Jawo converted a penalty kick, ending the second-tier side’s run in the domestic tournament. The match, which drew 2,012 spectators, saw Jawo score his first goal of the season after a slow run-up that allowed him to wait for goalkeeper Filip Bačkovský to move before firing to the right post.

Despite managing to neutralize several of Jablonec’s offensive threats, Dukla head coach Pavel Šustr expressed disappointment with his team’s lack of attacking output. While the match remained competitive, the home side failed to convert their spells of possession into clear-cut scoring chances.

Šustr Demands Increased Contributions from Schánělec

A focal point of coach Šustr’s post-match assessment was the performance of 24-year-old Tomáš Schánělec, who joined Dukla from Sparta Prague during the summer transfer window. Although Schánělec opened his tenure with two goals, Šustr emphasized that the player must evolve his role to better support the team’s collective play.

“Adaptation was relatively fast because he scored in the first matches, but at the same time, I say that I expect more from him,” Šustr stated. “More football directed toward the team, holding the ball, making runs, so that he can support the team not only with goals but also with interplay.”

The coach noted that he maintains high standards for Schánělec partly due to his background at Sparta. “He is a player who came from Sparta and should show even more,” Šustr added. He confirmed that the player is currently competing for his place in a deep squad, noting that while the development process is ongoing, he sees the necessary effort from the player. Late in the match, Schánělec had a significant opportunity following a throw-in, but his attempt was blocked by the Jablonec defensive wall.

Luboš Kozel Rotates Squad for Demanding October Schedule

Jablonec manager Luboš Kozel utilized the cup fixture to rotate his squad, making ten changes compared to the team’s previous league outing against Zlín. Kozel emphasized the necessity of maintaining a healthy squad depth to handle a demanding schedule that includes both domestic competitions and the UEFA Conference League, noting that his team faces a grueling October slate against opponents like Plzeň, Brighton, and Slavia. He admitted that the intensity of their schedule makes it feel as though they are competing in the Europa League rather than the Conference League.

Jablonec’s defensive organization proved vital in securing the win. While the visitors struggled with their own efficiency in the final third, the defensive unit successfully absorbed Dukla’s pressure in the second half. The match also marked the competitive debut of goalkeeper Michal Kukučka, who is on loan from Nuremberg and kept a clean sheet for the North Bohemian side. Discipline was a factor throughout, with referee Klíma issuing yellow cards to Jablonec’s Nelson Okeke and Garang Kuol, and to Dukla’s Diego Velasquez and captain Daniel Kozma.

Discussions on Second-League Scheduling

The fixture took place during a scheduled international break, a situation that coach Šustr highlighted as a potential hindrance to the rhythm of second-tier football. Šustr expressed that he would welcome a change in policy that would allow the Chance Národní liga to continue during international windows, arguing that the second division is rarely affected by national team call-ups.

“The first league is clear. There is the senior national team. A lot of guys are in the under-21s, but with us, it wouldn’t affect it completely,” Šustr said. “I wouldn’t be against [playing during the break].”

What Remains to be Seen

The long-term impact of the team’s training regimen during the international break remains an open question for the Dukla coaching staff. Šustr noted that the effectiveness of the process chosen during the hiatus will only be clear once the team resumes league action. Dukla is scheduled to return to the pitch on Sunday, October 12, to face the reserve team of Baník Ostrava at Juliska. The match also saw the return of Namory Cissé following a year-long injury absence, leaving questions about how quickly he and other squad players can integrate to improve Dukla’s offensive output as the season progresses.