Trpišovský worried by injuries before Derby
15.3.2018, Redakce
The 289th Prague Derby is approaching and Slavia will try to win on Letná stadium for the second time in a row – which last time happened ten years ago. It will be the first Derby for Slavia manager Jindřich Trpišovský, but what worries our coach most right now is the growing injury list.
“I am looking forward to being part of such a big game. It was a science fiction for me just a few years ago when I attended the Derbys as a fan. I have not even dreamed about experiencing it on my own. The expectations are big. I would better like the game to start in five minutes, the Derby is such a big game that there is no motivation needed,” Trpišovský said.Slavia have lost just one of last five Prague Derbys, but will try to beat Sparta on their Stadium in the second consecutive match which happened last time in 2007 and 2008. The red & whites have won the autumn home game 2-0 and if they defeat Sparta on Saturday, they will win both games of the season for the first time since 1992/1993.
However the growing injury list worries Slavia coach Jindřich Trpišovský before the biggest game of Czech league.
“I am worried I will have even less players on Saturday than I have now. Škoda was injured last game against Olomouc and there is another stable player of starting lineup in doubt. We will know more on Thursday. With the exception of Kúdela and Hromada nobody has re-joined the team so far so there is a lot of question marks in the squad,” Trpišovský says.
Start of captain Milan Škoda is doubtful after an injury during goal celebration against Sigma. “It is important for us that he starts playing when he is hundred-percent ready so that he would not renew the injury. He has individual training now and we see it 50-50 that he will start on Saturday,” coach explained.
Despite being second in the league, seven points ahead of their city rivals, Slavia don’t see themselves as favorites. “It sounds like a cliche, but the Derby has no favorites. They say it is a game outside of the Czech league, and it is true. All statistics are deleted and the current form decides. Opening minutes will be very important and the start influences the whole game,” Jindřich Trpišovský anticipates.
