Plzeň, Czech Republic – FC Viktoria Plzeň is reeling from a disastrous week, culminating in a 3-0 defeat to FK Karviná in the MOL Cup quarterfinal on Thursday. This loss follows a disappointing exit from the UEFA Europa League and a heavy 3-0 league defeat at Zlín, leaving head coach Martin Hyský and the team facing mounting pressure.
Hyský, who took the helm at the Doosan Arena in February 2026, expressed his frustration following the cup defeat. “We are extremely dissatisfied with how today’s match unfolded and the result we are taking home. It’s simply down to our performance,” Hyský told Oneplay Sport, as reported by multiple Czech outlets.
The coach pinpointed a lackluster first half as a key factor in the loss. “It was very sluggish, lacking tempo and quality. Our football is currently overly labored. We are unable to score goals, and at the same time, we are conceding cheap goals,” he added. The defeat marks the third consecutive competitive loss for Plzeň, raising serious questions about the team’s current form and direction.
Viktorka v problémech! ????
Vedení Karvinských upravil na 2:0 Albert Labík. ✌#OneplaySport | #MOLCup pic.twitter.com/gU8T6EsLNX
— Oneplay Sport (@oneplaysportcz) March 5, 2026
Defender Dávid Krčík echoed Hyský’s sentiments, expressing the team’s disappointment after the match. “Huge disappointment. This represents not how we imagined the match would go. We wanted to reach the semi-finals,” Krčík said. He revealed that the players addressed the situation with the fans directly after the final whistle, receiving both criticism and encouragement.
Krčík attributed the loss primarily to Viktoria’s own shortcomings. “We were inaccurate both in midfield and in the final phase. Karviná capitalized on that and then scored two quick counter-attacks. The mistake was more on our side than it was about Karviná’s style of play,” he explained. The team’s inability to convert possession into goals and their vulnerability on the counter-attack have develop into recurring themes in recent matches.
Velký den pro Karvinou! ????
Slezané přejeli Plzeň 3:0 a postupují do semifinále MOL Cupu. ????#OneplaySport | #MOLCup pic.twitter.com/HESx6mS3Dm
— Oneplay Sport (@oneplaysportcz) March 5, 2026
Hyský attempted to revitalize the team during the halftime break with substitutions, aiming to increase the tempo and deliver crosses into the box, but the changes proved ineffective. The loss in Karviná adds to the sting of last week’s Europa League exit against Panathinaikos, where Plzeň were eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 draw. “I am terribly disappointed. This week was crucial for us, and we didn’t manage it,” Hyský admitted.
With their European and cup ambitions extinguished, Plzeň’s focus now shifts solely to the Czech First League. “Now we have only one goal – to finish the league as best as possible and in the highest possible position,” Hyský stated. The team will travel to Hradec Králové for their next league match on Sunday, a fixture that now carries added significance as they seek to salvage something from a rapidly deteriorating season.
Martin Hyský, appointed as Viktoria Plzeň’s head coach in February 2026, signed a three-year contract with the club. Prior to joining Plzeň, Hyský had a successful stint at Karviná and likewise managed reserve teams at Slavia Prague and Vlašim. His arrival was met with optimism, with club chairman Adolf Šádek praising his “proven track record of success” and “ambitious” approach. However, the recent string of defeats has cast a shadow over his early tenure.
The club has also made changes to the coaching staff alongside Hyský’s appointment, bringing in Radim Grussmann as assistant coach, Václav Winter as goalkeeper coach, and Petr Hejný and Tomáš Pupkay as fitness coaches. Several existing members of the coaching staff, including Marek Bakoš and Matúš Kozáčik, have been retained, while Petr Bolek and Juraj Kubišta have transitioned to roles within the club’s academy.
The situation at Viktoria Plzeň underscores the intense pressure faced by coaches in modern football. A team that was once a consistent contender for domestic and European honors now finds itself in a precarious position, desperately seeking a turnaround in form and fortune. The upcoming match against Hradec Králové will be a crucial test of Hyský’s leadership and the team’s resilience.
What’s Next: Viktoria Plzeň travels to face Hradec Králové in a Czech First League match on Sunday, March 8th. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 CET (09:00 AM EST).
Archysport will continue to provide updates on Viktoria Plzeň’s season and the latest developments in Czech football. Share your thoughts on Plzeň’s struggles in the comments below.
