Get six points and we’re going to the EL, there’s still hope, says Vlkanova after Plzeň’s match against Bayern

After half-time it looked like another debacle, but thanks to a good second half Pilsen could leave the Champions League home game against Bayern with their heads held high. Adam Vlkanova, the author of Viktoria’s first goal, assessed the 2:4 defeat.

Pilsen ran away from the favourite for the opening ten minutes, but then the German giant stunned the home defence twice and it was basically over. It was 0:4 by half-time, with Sadio Mané, Thomas Müller and Leon Goretzka scoring twice in succession.

After the change of sides, Julian Nagelsmann sent on the youngsters. Michal Bílek also made his line-up sour and his moves worked. Vlkanova reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute, and the latter scored in the 75th minute after the cooperation of substitutes Libor Holík and Jan Kliment.

“Of course, if my goal had meant a point, it would have been nicer. But to score against Bayern in front of your own fans in the Champions League is wonderful and I will never forget it,” said Vlkanova, quoted by Czech Television.

Vlkanova is having the year of his life. Already last autumn, he gave great performances in Hradec Králové, this spring he led Votroky to sixth place in the Fortuna League, made the national team and at the end of the summer he moved to Plzeň.

Now the Hradec Kralove native is playing in the Champions League for the first time in his life and is regularly among the best Victorians. In the list of his most important goals, Wednesday’s strike can be ranked next to the spring goal against Slavia, which caused the Sešiovans to lose the league championship.

“It doesn’t mean any points for us, so it’s not that important. I wanted to hit it well and I managed to do it perfectly. I think the goalkeeper didn’t have many chances at that moment either,” continued the offensive midfielder.

In a simultaneous match, Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter Milan in a shootout. The Italian vice-champion was three up, with Robin Gosens scoring in the 89th minute to make it 3-2, but Robert Lewandowski still managed to equalise.

Barcelona’s draw with Inter gave Plzeň a theoretical hope for promotion. It would have to win both games and hope that Bayern would beat Barcelona. They play Inter at the San Siro in two weeks, and close the group at home against Barcelona.

“Six points and into Europe. There is still hope. It could have been closer if Inter had made it. But let’s be realistic, we’d like to get at least a point,” Vlkanova added.

Sources: UEFA Champions League, Czech Television