Derby win in the MOL Cup Semi-final

After two years Slavia met Sparta in the MOL Cup Semi-final, this time away at Letná stadium, with unique streak of 13 previous Derbys unbeaten. Manager Jindřich Trpišovský opted for similar line-up as in the last league game against Plzeň, only Nico Stanciu replaced Jakub Hromada in midfield and Jan Kuchta started as a lone striker in place of Mick van Buren.

Sparta got into the first chance of the game with 7 minutes on the clock, but Kolář managed to block cross shot by Karlsson after a through ball by Juliš.

In the 20th minute Hložek could go alone on Kolář but Slavia goalkeeper rushed out of the goal, Sparta forward didn’t have enough time to shoot and had to pass the ball back.

After 24 minutes Slavia created their first big chance when Bah’s cross flew through the penalty area and Bořil fired his volley on the far post, but Heča managed to block the ball over the crossbar.

However, only a minute later Slavia managed to take lead. Oscar won the ball after a misplaced pass by Hečka and passed it to Jan Kuchta. Our striker returned the ball back to Oscar, but it rebounded from Wiesner into the box and Kuchta sent it along Heča into the net.

Five more minutes later the Red-whites doubled their lead. Quick one-touch passes on the left side of the box between Oscar and Kuchta set up Tomáš Holeš in front of an open net and our midfielder scored second goal of the night.

The first half could have ended with even more goals after several chances on both sides. Sparta showed signs of coming back into the game shortly after the second goal, but Juliš missed the far post with his low shot in the 34th minute.

Nicolae Stanciu could then score third for Slavia from a set piece but curled the ball close next to the left post. On the other side Hancko had similar opportunity from a free kick but his effort was blocked by Kolář.

But it was Slavia who scored again shortly after the break. In the 53rd minute Lukáš Masopust got the ball on the right wing, went past two Sparta defenders, and set up Jan Kuchta in front of an open net. Kuchta scored his second of the night and secured Slavia a three-goal lead.

Slavia set the pace of the game and did not allow Sparta into any bigger chances. After 72 minutes Stanciu set up Alexander Bah on the right side, but his low effort was blocked by Heča. Four minutes Later on the other side Kolář made a wonderful save against Hložek’s long-range shot into the top left corner.

Five minutes before the end Lukáš Masopust could score fourth for Slavia being set up by Bořil, but Heča managed to block his chipped effort.

Slavia managed to win third Derby in this season, after 3-0 and 2-0 league wins, the Red-whites won 3-0 in the MOL Cup Semi-final and progressed to the final against Viktoria Plzeň. Slavia stretched their unbeaten run in Prague Derbys to 14 games which is the longest streak since the very first game in 1896!