The recipe for Partizan? According to Pavel Vrba, Sparta needs to improve especially in offense. What could play into the hands of Letna?

Sparta have to close the one-goal deficit from the opening game in Serbia. Partizan Belgrade managed to win 1:0 at Letná. If they want to advance without extra time, any two-goal win is enough. However, the possibility of progression can also lead through a one-goal win followed by extra time or penalties. The road to the next stage of the European Conference League is not completely closed yet.

At the pre-match press conference, coach Pavel Vrba revealed how his charges must present themselves if Sparta want to dramatize the double-header with Partizan.

“We have to improve offensively. We had a very good start to the match in Prague, but unfortunately after that we backed off. So I think our offense will be the decisive factor,” he told the club’s website.

According to the experienced strategist, the postponement of the game against Jablonec might also suit Sparta. The match had to be postponed in the north of Bohemia because of an unplayable pitch, so the players avoided potential injuries and the very demanding style of play that has to be practised on a poor surface.

Vrba also praised Sparta for training well this week. Two other small pluses for Sparta may be two more factors. Partizan has a key league game this weekend and Serbia’s biggest derby with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade.

The second positive is that the stadium will be only half full. This will make it a little less hellish atmosphere than at full capacity.

Pavel Vrba warned about Partizan’s big weapon, which is counter-attacks. He expects the match with the leading team of the Serbian Super League to be an up-and-down game, which could be attractive for the spectators.

Interestingly, Pavel Vrba advanced through Partizan Belgrade in 2018, as coach of Viktoria Plzeň. The Spartans are staying at the same hotel and will play on the same pitch, so Vrba hopes that history will repeat itself and the Czech team will once again enjoy promotion.

Sources: AC Sparta Prague