Win in Liberec. Three points secured by Malick Diouf
On Friday, the Stadion U Nisy unusually hosted a clash between the third and fourth-placed teams. Slavia entered the match with two clean sheets and a total score of 4:0, while their opponent had conceded only twice. Summer signing Tomáš Chorý made his debut in the starting lineup, and Lukáš Masopust started for the first time since May.
The start of the match was marked by inaccuracies from both sides. The first chance came after a cleared cross to Lukáš Masopust, whose shot was deflected for a corner. Home player Tupta also tried his luck but missed the target.
In the 10th minute, Antonín Kinský made a brilliant save, denying the dangerously advancing Nyarko.
More crosses started targeting the opponent's box, but none found their intended heads. Just before the half-hour mark, Nyarko threatened again after a quick counterattack but fortunately shot over Kinský's goal.
Slavia responded with a move by Lukáš Provod, whose almost goal-bound dribble was thwarted by Bačkovský at the last moment.
In the 39th minute, Provod set up a chance for Filip Prebsl, whose powerful shot was caught by the attentive home goalkeeper.
A minute later, it worked! A deflected ball reached Malick Diouf's left foot, and he sent a fantastic shot through the box into the net – 1:0!
A similarly fierce shot came from Icha on the other side, but Antonín Kinský made another superb save to maintain Slavia's lead at halftime.
The beginning of the second half mirrored the first, with promising opportunities being thwarted by poor passing. Tomáš Chorý had a chance to score the second goal in the 60th minute but couldn't direct his header on target.
A minute later, the same striker set up Lukáš Masopust, who shifted the ball to his left foot with a feint, but his shot let him down.
In the 66th minute, Christos Zafeiris returned from injury along with Daniel Fila, replacing Chorý and Provod. The 9,011 spectators at Stadion U Nisy watched Slavia's continued efforts and the substitution of David Zima for Lukáš Masopust.
Slavia controlled possession, keeping the opponent largely confined to their half. The rare counterattacks were intercepted by the alert defense, led by Antonín Kinský, who was close to securing his third consecutive clean sheet.
In the 90th minute, Malick Diouf, the scorer of the opening goal, and Ivan Schranz left the field, replaced by Mojmír Chytil and Conrad Wallem for the final minutes.
Nothing more happened, and Slavia took all three points back to Prague with a 1-0 victory. Their next match is scheduled for Wednesday, when they will face Belgian team Royale Union SG at 19:00 in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Lineups
Bačkovský – Mikula, Ševínský, Preisler – Ghali (74. Koželuh), Icha, Hlavatý, Kayondo – Tupta (74. Frýdek), Nyarko (60. Dulay), Višinský (79. Kok)
Kinský – Holeš, Ogbu, Bořil – Masopust (75. Zima), Prebsl, Oscar, Diouf (90. Wallem) – Schranz (90. Chytil), Chorý (66. Fila), Provod (66. Zafeiris)