Champions League
I believe in a good result. I won’t miss Lewandowski, says Hejda before Barcelona
On Tuesday, Viktoria Plzeň will play the last match of the Champions League group stage, welcoming Barcelona at home. What did captain Lukáš Hejda have to say before the last cup game of the season?
On Tuesday, Viktoria Plzeň will play the last match of the Champions League group stage, welcoming Barcelona at home. What did captain Lukáš Hejda have to say before the last cup game of the season?
Both teams are going into the last round with a sure place. Plzeň lost five times and will finish last with zero points, which was more or less expected after the draw. After all, they faced the German champion and the Spanish and Italian runners-up.
But more was expected from Barcelona. Zero points and goals scored against Bayern Munich, one point against Inter and the Catalans have no chance of advancing to the Champions League eight-finals before the match in Plzen. The Europa League awaits them in the spring.
“We’re playing at home, it’s the last and big game. Nobody wants to finish with zero points in the group. We have to avoid mistakes at the back. I believe in a good result,” said Lukáš Hejda at the press conference.
Viktoria won the Champions League via three preliminary rounds. It did not lose even once in them and that is why the public hoped that, like Slavia three years ago, Plzeň would grab at least a draw in the group of death.
However, Michal Bílek’s charges have been suffering one debacle after another since the opening round. They have lost all five matches by two or more goals, scoring three goals and conceding twenty times. They have the worst defence in the Champions League.
“We’re not worried about another allocation, but it’s hard to face such players who play at a crazy speed. We will try to give our best on the pitch again,” continued the Plzen captain.
Looking at the table, Pilsen will have the easiest match at the end of the group. At home against the third team, which has won only once so far, yet even a draw would be a huge success. And given the absentees of the visitors, a point share is not unrealistic.
The slightly injured Robert Lewandowski will not come to the Doosan Arena, nor will the sidelined Sergio Busquets. Coach Xavi is likely to give a chance to players of the wider squad, the priority is to keep up with Real Madrid in La Liga for the rest of the autumn.
“I don’t mind Lewandowski not being here, I enjoyed him at the Camp Nou too much. I believe our fans wanted to see him though, so for them it’s a minus. But I won’t miss him,” Hejda added.
Source: FC Viktoria Plzeň