What did the Sparta game show? A lukewarm start caused the defeat, not enough to start playing at the end

Sparta lost to Rangers 0:2 and failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League. They must not lose to Brondby if they want to play in the Conference play-offs. What did Thursday’s game show?

A few days after the ugly defeat at Slovácko came another disappointment, Sparta couldn’t fight back from at least a one-goal defeat against Rangers and are slowly saying goodbye to the Europa League.

The reason is simple, a lukewarm start could have punished the Scottish team and no one could have said a word if the result had been far worse.

Sparta’s performance improved over time, but the higher standard was only met in the last half hour when coach Pavel Vrba oxygenated the team with substitutions. The substitutes lifted the game and thanks to them there was a chance for a reduction.

Sparta had several promising actions and chances, for example Adam Karabec’s header just missed goalkeeper McGregor’s goal. His performance in the match was good, especially considering the form he is in.

The Scottish goalkeeper shone a few minutes later, when he caught a header by Ladislav Krejci Jr. and reflexively a shot by Matej Pulkrab. Had he converted that chance late on, the Europa League chances would still be alive.

Sparta were left with nothing to cry about, but Rangers deserved the victory. It’s not enough to start playing at full throttle at the end, but much earlier.

The better team thus advanced to the spring phase of the Europa League, Sparta must not lose to Brondby if they want to at least play in the Conference playoffs.

Source: AC Sparta Prague