FK TEPLICE – LOSS OF SPRING "SPIRIT"?
After the autumn Teplice footballers were down to 15th position with only eleven points. During the winter break, the head coach Jiří Jarošík, who used to play for Slovan in the past and also served as an assistant coach, had a lot of work to do. However, it seems that Teplice have really started to pick up under the coach who arrived at the end of September. In the spring phase, they have already almost doubled their points from the previous nineteen rounds and moved up to 14th place, with 12. Jablonec, are only three points behind.
It all started with a narrow 1-0 win over Bohemians, followed by a surprising 4-2 away win over Baník and a crucial 1-0 win against Karviná. After that, Teplice’s ride slowed down. After a 0:0 draw with Sigma came three defeats, twice very close 0:1, against Plzeň and Slovácko. In the last match Teplice could not keep up with Hradec, with whom they lost 1:2, the only goal scored by Ledecký.
We have already outlined the situation in the table, Teplice is very important and they need to get as many points as possible from each match to avoid relegation and possible barrage for staying in the top Czech competition. Teplice, like Slovan, have struggled at the end of the season. They have sent in the fewest shots (209) in the whole league and are among the worst in terms of goals (26, one less than Liberec). The Yellow and Blue, on the other hand, are strong in the number of balls won (third in the league with 1547).
Teplice’s top scorers with 4 goals are Jan Fortelný and Jakub Mareš. Jan Fortelný is clearly the best in assists (7, tied for third in the league). Alois Hyčka produced the most assists (10). Tomáš Grigar has four clean sheets this season, his teammate Jan Čtvrtečka two.
FC SLOVAN LIBEREC – PREPARATORY MATCH AND PROBLEMS WITH centre-backs
During the break, five Liberec players fulfilled their national team duties, but the rest of the team did not slack off and trained hard. Slovan also played against the German second league team Dresden during the break. In a combined line-up, in which the less used players and youngsters from the B team were given a chance, coach Kozel’s charges eventually lost to Dynamo Dresden 1:2.
Slovan’s last league performance did not go quite as expected. Liberec failed to enter the match and in the away match against Sigma they got a goal in the 25th minute. Although our players tried to equalize the whole match, they were not successful and lost 0:1. The defeat meant that we dropped to the eighth place, however, it is still true that all teams in the middle of the table are separated by a minimum of points.
In the last match against Teplice we enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Na Stínadlech. In the 13th round, Matoušek quickly sent us into the lead, scoring in the second minute. Mazuch equalised for Teplice in the first half after a sloppy defending in the penalty area. It looked like the two teams were going to break the tie, but in the third minute of the setup Rondić managed to get through, which cheered up the Liberec bench and secured three points for Slovan.
The problem for our coaches will be the composition of the defence. Purzitidis was carded in the last match (four yellow cards) and defender Stetina will be missing, who is serving a red card against Slavia. Dominik Plechatý is still injured. What does coach Kozel have to say about the complicated situation? "How big a problem it will be, will only become clear during the match. Even in the last match in Olomouc we were missing two of them... We had a fortnight break and therefore time to prepare. I hope that the absences will be as little as possible." The offensive situation is better. Rabušic, Liberec’s top scorer with five goals, and Christian Frýdek, the best passer, should be available.
Come and support the Liberec footballers at the U Nisy stadium, the game is on Saturday from 4 pm!
