Updated: 08/08/2023 23:14 Issued: 08/08/2023, 22:01
Copenhagen – Sparta’s football players drew goalless in the opening match of the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League at FC Copenhagen. The home team hit the crossbar twice in the match. Rematch is scheduled for a week at the sold-out Letné.
The fight between the two reigning champions of their countries was spicy for the Danish coach of Sparta Brian Priske, who worked as an assistant in Copenhagen from 2016 to 2017. The team from Prague did not beat the team from the Danish capital even in the third competitive match, in the 2009/10 season they lost to them twice in the Europa League group.
The winner of the two matches will advance to the final preliminary round of the LM, where they will face the better of the Raków Černostoch – Aris Limassol pair, the loser will fight for the EL group with either AEK Athens or Dinamo Zagreb. All the mentioned teams, including Sparta and Copenhagen, are assured of at least participation in the group of the European Conference League.
Sparta is aiming for the first promotion to the Champions League since 2005. Copenhagen, which was eliminated in the cups in the elimination double-headers against Czech opponents on all three occasions, played the main stage of the elite competition for the last time last year.
Danish stopper Asger Sörensen returned to the Prague lineup after missing Saturday’s league match with Pardubice, replacing Vitík. Sörensen’s compatriot Vindahl also played in the visitors’ goal. The weather was windy in Copenhagen, and shortly before kick-off heavy rain was added.
The teams started cautiously, but in the 11th minute, Sparta was able to strike after a fast break. Birmančevič made a run for Haraslín, the Slovakian representative ran alone towards the goal and tried to beat goalkeeper Grabar, but he couldn’t finish. Copenhagen also threatened after that, but Vindahl saved Goncalves’ long-range shot.
In the 32nd minute, Prague almost conceded, Christian Sörensen passed in front of the goal and Bardghji hit the crossbar from close range. At the end of the opening act, Sparta made themselves known again, but Haraslín’s shot was blocked by Jelert and Kuchta headed into the side net.
After the change of sides, Mejdr stretched from behind the goal and really stretched Grabara. After an hour of play, Spartan Sörensen left the pitch due to injury, and was replaced by Vitík. In the 70th minute, Goncalves fired just wide in front of the penalty area. In the next seven minutes, after the action of two substitute players, Copenhagen saved the guests again, the crossbar, which Claesson hit with his chest after Óskarsson’s cross.
Subsequently, the Spartan goalkeeper shined twice. First, he knocked out Achúri’s shot from the edge of the box and then Goncalves’ shot, before which Panák kicked the ball to safety in time. The home team continued to chase a goal, Achúri’s shot from close range was stopped by striker Kuchta.
Copenhagen did not lose even the sixth competitive match of the season, Sparta the fourth. But both teams did not achieve victory for the first time. Since the 2012/13 season, Sparta has not been able to win 16 matches in a row in the preliminary rounds of the cups.
Post-match votes:
Brian Priske (Sparta coach): “I am satisfied with the result. We have to analyze some parts of the game, especially in attack, in order to be braver and better in Prague. But we have to admit that it is difficult to play here. Copenhagen is a team that regularly plays in the group of European cups. They deserve a lot of respect, they pushed in the second half and were close to a goal a few times. But I have to give a lot of credit to our team, everyone defended as well as they could. Maybe they lacked a bit of courage on the ball.”
Filip Panák (defender of Sparta): “Copenhagen had more chances in the match, we had some mistakes, it’s a shame. The 0-0 result is good for us. But before the match I was hoping that we would score a goal. On the other hand, they are incredibly strong at the top. They play from number one, many times we are they made a last-minute stop, even with a bit of luck, we’ll have to work on that. We had something going forward. It’s a shame we didn’t use it. I hope we use it at home.”
Lukáš Haraslín (Sparta striker): “We go into every match wanting to win, but Copenhagen was a tough opponent. We played a quality match on a tough pitch. It’s a good result for the return leg.”
FC Copenhagen – Sparta Prague 0:0
Referee: Bastien – Zakrani, Berthomieu – Brisard (video, all Fr.). ŽK: Falk, Vavro, Lerager, Jelert – Kuchta, Zelený, Krejčí. Spectators: 27,170.
Assemblies:
Copenhagen: Grabara – Jelert, Vavro, Diks, C. Sörensen – Goncalves, Falk, Lerager – Bardghji (57. Achúri), Larsson (72. Óskarsson), Elyounoussi (72. Claesson). Coach: Neestrup.
Sparta: Vindahl – A. Sörensen (60. Vitík), Panák, Krejčí – Mejdr, Kairinen, Sadílek (76. Laci), Zelený – Birmančevič (60. Minčev), Haraslín (76. Pešek) – Kuchta. Coach: Priske.
football Champions League Sparta Copenhagen 3rd preliminary round
2023-08-08 20:37:30
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