Valletta (From our correspondent) – A returnee from Slavia would be a valuable reinforcement for Slovan. However, coach Luboš Kozel suspected from the start of winter training that Christ Tiéhi would not stay long in Liberec. The return of him had a truly epic life. The French midfielder is negotiating a move to English second division Wigan.
“Even after Saturday’s training, it looked like he would fly with us to Malta. But things started moving fast in the afternoon,” the Slovan coach describes the development of the last few hours.
Christ Tiéhi and Václav Jurečka started at other positions in retaliation. How come?video: Sport.cz, SK Slavia Prague
The team moved to Moravia on Sunday, from where they flew to the Mediterranean island on Monday morning. Goalkeeper Hugo Jan Bačkovský is no longer absent from the expedition. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has joined Slovan from Sparta on loan with an option.
“We would like to further strengthen the team, so I hope someone else will come and join us. And we will also wait for the raiders Červ and Prebsl, who have had to stay at home for the moment,” advises Kozel.
While in Brno it was three above zero in the morning upon arrival at the airport, in Malta it’s 15 degrees hotter. The coach has already brought Baník from Ostrava here.
“I have a bit of an edge knowing what we’re getting ourselves into. We came for the good weather, quality grounds and matches,” says the coach, whose team will face Austria Tirol, Trenčín, and eventually face a match for the final placement.
Kozel solidified his authority in the booth with his performance in the veteran New Year’s Derby. He scored twice for Sparta and was named Slavia’s man of the match.
“I’ve noticed that most of the players know how the derby ended. But the important thing now is that I’m transferring the formation to them”, laughed the coach at the start of the Maltese training camp.
Due to participation in Malta, the team will miss the start of the presidential election. “The deciding factor will still be the second round, and we’ll be home,” Kozel doesn’t frown.
