Champions League
We won’t play 0:0 at home, promise Pilsen. Viktoria will try to get closer to their Champions League dream
Another big night at Doosan Arena is coming up. On Tuesday at 19:00, the Victorians will welcome Sheriff Tiraspol to their home ground for the rematch of the 3rd Champions League preliminary round, which they go into in an advantageous position after winning 2-1 from the first leg. “The first game showed us the opponent’s quality, but if we do what we say we will do, we are able to eliminate their biggest strength. We are playing at home, we want to advance and win the match,” says coach Michal Bílek. And what is Sheriff’s biggest strength, according to him? “Technically they are very well equipped. They have players up front who have no problem going one-on-one. We must not give them space,” he reveals. Lukáš Hejda sees similar pitfalls in the Moldovan team. “Tiraspol is an unpleasant opponent that shoots from all positions. They are excellent in one-on-one situations, you have to be on your toes all the time. Their individual quality is at a high level, but on the whole we managed the first match and took home a great result,” thinks the FCVP captain “We have to approach them quickly, not let them play and keep them as far away from our goal as possible. If we want to think about a good result and promotion, which is our goal, then we have to repeat last week’s performance,” explains Michal Bílek. And vice versa, how could Viktoria challenge Tiraspol? “Attacking standards are our strong point and we try to take advantage of that. Who plays what role in it is something that we decide on the pitch,” says Lukáš Hejda. “Standards should be our weapon, we concentrate on them. We play them quite well and it’s something we could succeed with tomorrow,” agrees Michal Bílek. The fact that the game will be played in the Doosan Arena also plays into the hands of the Red and Blue. “We are betting on the home environment, where we play very well. A full stadium will come, that will definitely boost us. We won’t play 0-0 to defend it, we want to win at home. We will go all out!” it will be Viktoria’s sixth competitive match in three weeks. “The matches are going fast, but we are happy for it, we wished to play European Cups. On the other hand, the players prefer to play rather than train. Tomorrow’s game is important for the club and I believe we will get closer to our dream of playing the Champions League,” concluded the West Boys coach.
Viktoria Plzeň will be fighting to get closer to their dream on Tuesday from 19:00. That is, advancing to the Champions League group stages. To do that, they only need to manage three matches. One match separates them from the Europa League group stage. What’s the sound from the western Czech Republic ahead of the rematch with Sheriff Tiraspol?
Viktoria Plzeň managed the first match on the opponent’s soil. They took home an important 2:1 win from Tiraspol. However, in the rematch they must be cautious. Sheriff’s players have shown that they are dangerous and that getting past them will be no easy task.
Coach Michal Bílek is also aware of this. But he also knows the qualities of his team, so he believes that promotion is not impossible. “If we do what we say, we are able to eliminate their biggest strength. We are playing at home, we want to advance and win the match,” he said at the press conference.
Bílek sees the opponent’s biggest strength as their great technical equipment. Sheriff’s offensive players excel in one-on-one battles, so they must not be given space.
Defender Lukas Hejda sees it as a disadvantage that Tiraspol’s stars shoot from all positions. Like Bilek, however, he sees their individual technical qualities. After all, he tasted them on the field himself.
“We have to approach them quickly, not let them play and keep them as far away from our goal as possible. If we want to think about a good result and promotion, which is our goal, we have to repeat last week’s performance,” Bílek is clear.
Hejda and Bilek believe that Viktoria will be able to cause problems for Sheriff with their attacking standards. Besides, they want to rely on the home environment. The stadium should be completely full. That is why Hejda promises that Plzen will definitely not play for a goalless draw.
Source: FC Viktoria Plzeň
