The Liverpool game? We’re certainly not going into it as favourites. We have to play our game and advance, says Priske

The league derby between Sparta and Slavia ended in a goalless draw, but both clubs have to concentrate on very difficult matches in the Europa League. Leten’s home team will welcome Liverpool, the current Premier League leader, in the eighth round. What did coach Brian Priske say after the derby towards the Reds match?

The two Prague derbies last week are over, with Sparta coming out on top. Wednesday’s game was won 3:2, despite having to turn the score around. Letenský made it through and advanced to the semi-finals of the MOL Cup.

They will face Opava, among others. Sunday’s league derby ended goalless, with Brian Priske’s charges having a bit more of the game.

After 90 minutes, however, the score was 0:0 on the scoreboard, and that’s the main thing. So Slavia grabbed a point at Letná, while Sparta from a certain point of view can talk about losing two points, as Kaan Kairinen noted.

However, Sparta are still in good form and in excellent form. Moreover, it doesn’t have that much time to look back, because on Wednesday at Letná it will welcome, with all due respect to Slavia, a much bigger opponent. Liverpool from England.

The latter has a demanding schedule, but as coach Priske said in the post-match derby, it won’t affect the eight-final clash too much. It must be added, it is also likely that Mohamed Salah will return to the Liverpool line-up after injury.

That is, Liverpool’s main offensive weapon. Among other things, the Reds beat Nottingham 1-0 at the weekend, even with a still significant illness. Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister have already returned to the game, but the three points for Liverpool were decided by another man – Darwin Nunez.

Priske on the Liverpool game

“We are certainly not going into the game as favourites, but we know that we can often do something special at home at Letná. The players are looking forward to the comparison, they don’t take it just as an experience, but above all as a challenge. Our task is to prepare the boys to perform at their best,” Priske said in an interview for the club website.

“I can’t really say how the players feel, but I can guess. It’s a big game and a big challenge for all of us. Liverpool – an iconic team, an iconic club with an iconic stadium. But our players are professionals. We are all here to do our job and win,” said the Sparta coach.

“We have two games against a great team, but we have to try to play our game and advance, with all due respect to our opponent. If someone wants to enjoy the game at Anfield, they can buy a ticket or go there after their career is over. Liverpool is a big favourite, but we will do everything to be successful,” concluded Priske.

Source: UEFA, Fortuna Liga, AC Sparta Prague