Pilsen Coach Koubek Talks Strategy and Fatigue in Recent Matches

“We take the point,” said Viktoria’s coach, Miroslav Koubek. “It was not an easy game at all. Although Slovakia is not doing very well in the spring, she has been showing signs of improvement recently. He showed real fight and aggression, which we expected. We appreciate the duty, because good old Slovakia was against us again.” he said.

Pilsen, third in the league table, went to Moravia directly from Florence. First by plane to Brno, they moved to Zlín. “We’ve been on the road since Tuesday. However, it was not possible otherwise. At least we had time to rest and rejuvenate a bit,” said Koubka.

As his team will face Zlín in the semi-final of the MOL Cup on Wednesday, he decided to spread the burden on other players who do not play regularly in the starting eleven. “We were very close to the game in Slovakia as a friendly game. Yes, I mean by this that we had pre-planned half-time substitutes Kalvach or Červ. And maybe Hranáč should not have appeared on the pitch at all, but he had to replace the injured Řezník. But he is in good physical shape, so he should be able to cope with the demanding program,” he said.

Koubek praised the football players who had a chance at Slovácko on Sunday night. Including defender Milan Havel, who is returning from a ten-month injury layoff. “Slowly we got into the game, but especially at the back we showed an organized performance. We managed to get the main goal before the break. It’s a pity that we didn’t handle some promising situations in the second half to the second goal,” he deeply regretted that the substitute Šulec was thrown.

Metsoko, who came to Viktorka in the winter from the second division Vyškov, sent him back with a header. “He’s one now. He plays strongly in front of the goal, he is good in combination and in escape. However, he must improve his game with his back to the goal,” said Koubek to Togolese reinforcements.

He admitted that after being kicked out of the Conference League, the hands of the Pilsen football players are now a little free. “We no longer dance at three, but only at two weddings. Now we will do everything to get through Zlín to the final of the domestic cup,” he vowed.

Koubek does not hide that as the end of the season approaches, his team is getting tired. “A large portion of the game is behind us. And you can’t just play well all the time. That’s why sometimes there are moments, like those that affected us, for example, at home with Liberec or in Karviná,” he reminded.