What did Sparta do against Rangers? Panak’s extravaganza, Hanck’s signal or the execution of the plan

Sparta managed to win a crucial Europa League group stage match. They managed to defeat Rangers at home, so participation in the spring part of the cup is a bit closer. What led to this important triumph?

Hanck’s signal

Sparta can finally rely on standard situations in key matches. This is thanks to Slovakian international Dávid Hanck. The 188 centimetres tall defender found his place at the near post for the second time this season at Letná, in both games he was decisive in the 1:0 win.

Compared to the goal against České Budějovice, only the executor and the side of the corner changed. Under the auspices of the Fortuna Liga, the centre came from the right side by Karlsson, on Thursday Jakub Pešek assisted from the left side.

Fulfilling the plan

After the game against Rangers, the plan with which Sparta entered the Europa League group stage is already clear. Both the Scottish and Danish sides are equals, away to avoid defeat and at home to score full points!

In Copenhagen the first half of the process with Brøndby was successful, from the opposite direction Sparta started the double match with the Scottish champions and also successfully fulfilled the plan. Now Pavel Vrba’s charges face an opponent of the highest calibre – French side Lyon. However, it is also an opponent against which there is no need to score points.

So the goal in the next phase will clearly be a win against Brøndby, but in Scotland we can expect a much more combative approach again. It will also depend on the health of Filip Soucek, but if he is ready, we could see the unpopular trio of Pavelka, Soucek, Sacek again. In such a scenario, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lineup without Adam Hložek, at least not at the top of the offense.

Sparta will therefore take at least four points from the first half of the Europa League. Third place is now really within reach, and so is the spring part of the cups. Such a position would send Letná Letná to the last 16 of the Conference League, but the goal remains, of course, participation in the Europa League play-offs.

Panak’s extraclass

On Thursday, Filip Panak wrote another chapter in an already incredible story. After returning from a long-term injury, he settled into the starting line-up and after the games against Monaco, he had another tough test ahead of him – Scottish football.

And Panak once again performed admirably. According to Whoscored, he was the second best player on the pitch after his Slovakian defensive partner. He notched up a 91.7% pass completion rate (best on the field), four interceptions (tied with Hanck for best on the field), nine clearances (best on the field) or six out of seven accurate long passes.

The question in my mind is whether Panak is even close to an invitation to the national team. The stopper position is honestly not covered by the best competition in Šilhavy’s selection and I can imagine Filip Panák’s name in the nomination in the current form instead of Jakub Brabec or other names. The question is how such a workload would benefit him health-wise.

Trouble in the end

The Spartans are rightly satisfied with the win and the performance, but the joy could have been even sweeter. Jakub Pesek had a two-nil goal served to him as if on a golden platter, the goal structure was against him.

Martin Minchev or Lukas Haraslin found themselves alone in front of the visitors’ goalkeeper McGregor in the second half. The former got pushed out and hit the side netting, while Haraslin, on the other hand, crashed down on the experienced goalkeeper. In the sixtieth minute, no one could have been surprised by the three-goal difference in the score.

Source: Whoscored, Livesport