“We put on a perfect performance, its quality improved. But the result is regrettable, of course, considering the many goals. The players deserved to win for their incredible enthusiasm and desire to equalize and then even score a winning goal and create a bigger lead. If it had worked out, we would have traveled better for the rematch. However, we still have our heads up. Everything remains open, and that is the most important thing,” said Olomouc skipper Tomáš Janotka after the match.
He greatly regretted that his team had conceded first. “It’s a shame! The entry worked for us and there was no indication that the opponent should take the lead. Unfortunately, he scored after a rare chance. On the other hand, I appreciate the fact that when we immediately hit the post instead of equalizing, it didn’t knock us down and we kept fighting,” he stated.
Photo: Luděk Peřina, CTK
From left, Ahmad Ghali from Olomouc, Olivier Custodio from Laussane and goalkeeper Karlo Letica from Laussane.
He also boasted that his substitution worked when he sent Jáchym Šíp in place of the lackluster Abudbakar Ghali after the break. “We were not satisfied with what he showed last time in the league against Pilsen. Mainly with his movement and choice of place. We subjected him to criticism and it took its toll. He significantly revived the game and blew the others away,” he praised.
He did not proceed with another substitution, even though Antonín Růsko or Jan Kliment were visibly running out of strength. “There was an offer to send fresh players there. However, the boys on the field were in a rush, so we didn’t want to disrupt it. We believed that they had the ability to make decisions, even if they might sometimes miss a step. It didn’t work out, but that’s how football is,” pointed out Janotka.
From an overall point of view, he evaluated the match positively. “The football we played entertained me, absorbed me. This despite the fact that the desired winning goal did not come. Our game had elements that we want to have in it. We practically did not let the opponent have chances, and even if we did not convert ours with one exception, the confidence of the players rises. I believe that next time they will break through in the end,” he added.
His counterpart Petr Zeidler was more satisfied. “We knew that Sigma is a very good team, and that was confirmed. When it works for her, she is extremely dangerous. If we look at the number of chances, she had the upper hand. We have to admit that. But the result counts, and of course we take it,” he admitted.
He attributed the fact that his team came under huge pressure in the second half mainly to physical condition. “It has a significant influence on football, and the home team was better in this regard. The same applies to the mental side. After the equalizer, we fell behind in that as well,” he said.
The fight for promotion remains open according to him. “We haven’t been doing well lately, but a draw today could help us. But we have to be better next week or Sigma will be happy. I think we can do it,” said Zeidler.
