In next months Slovan Liberec will be fighting for the best possible position without three important players. Leaving of Josef Šural, who had contract until next summer was expected, offensive player will be playing in Sparta Praha. But move of captain David Pavelka was unexpected and it will be really difficult to replace midfielder, who will be playing in Turkish Superleague. The last big transfer was Dzon Delarge, who left to Austria and after that, he was sent to Osmanilispor to Turkey for loan.
For replacement of these player came to Slovan talented Egon Vůch from Viktoria Plzeň or Radim Breite from Teplice. During the winter break were preparing with team three players from Sparta Praha – Ondřej Švejdík, Herolind Shala and young forward Matěj Půlkrab, but their transfer is not complete yet. Nevertheless the coach Jindřich Trpišovský on the press conference said : "Lost of David Pavelka is uncomfortable, but we must accept the reality. On position of Šural can play Bartl, Jefremov or Vůch. For position of Pavelka is closest Ondřej Karafiát."
Coach Trpišovský also spoke about winter break and he was very satisfied with the health of players, no one in team has medical troubles at the moment. The last part of the preparation Slovan spent in Turkey, where they played three matches, but without win (draws with RNK Split and Targu Mures and lost against Vardar Skopje). Nevertheless Trpišovský wasn´t unhappy and claimed : "I´m glad that we worked on style of play and condition, in general i´m satisfied with the winter break."
First big test without two key players will be this Friday against Dukla Praha and this match will show if Slovan will be able to fight for positions, which guarantee qualifing to Europa league next year. New captain, 22 years old Lukáš Pokorný said : We are glad that we have finished the winter preparation and the league will start. Every one single player is expecting the friday´s start. "Jindřich Trpišovský and Jan Nezmar finally spoke about next goals. Sport director wants to stay at the position, where Slovan is after autumn part of the league, the goal of the coach Trpišovský is less longtime : "For me, there is only one goal at the moment. To beat Dukla at friday."
