On Tuesday, Pilsen can take another step towards their dream promotion to the group stage of the Champions League. In the rematch of the 3rd preliminary round of the elite competition, the reigning Czech champions will challenge Tiraspol at home, who they defeated 2:1 in Chisinau last week. The match kicks off at 7 p.m.
Coach Michal Bílek’s men in Moldova lost with a goal from the penalty spot, but Tomáš Chorý also equalized from a penalty kick shortly before the break. Soon after the change of sides, Pavel Bucha completed the turnaround. Viktoria repeated the result from the opening match of the 2nd preliminary round at the Helsinki stadium, outclassing them 5-0 in the return match and equaling their highest cup victory.
On Saturday, Pilsen defeated Pardubice 2:1 at home in the second league round with a changed line-up. “We could see that the match was hanging. It was a certain risk, but we had to make those changes in relation to Tuesday and the very important match with Sheriff Tiraspol. The important thing for us is that we won.” said Bílek.
The West Bohemians already have at least a certain participation in the group of the European Conference League, which means for them a return to the main phase of the cups after a three-year absence. In the event of Sheriff’s elimination, Plzeň would receive at least 213 million crowns (for participation in the play-offs and the certainty of at least the group of the European League) plus several tens of millions of crowns for the ten-year coefficient. This would greatly help the club, which is looking for a new owner.
The defenders of the Czech title have not lost nine duels at home in UEFA competitions since the 0:5 debacle with Real Madrid in the Champions League in November 2018, winning eight of them. Sheriff got into the mood at the Doosan Arena with a 3-1 league win over Sfintul Gheorghe
“There will definitely be a lot of work to do in the return leg. I hope that with the support of the fans, we can win and advance.” said midfielder Bucha. “It will be another very important match. The Champions League is a dream for all of us,” added defender Milan Havel.
Viktoria would play the winner of the doubleheader between Karabakh and Ferencváros Budapest in the final 4th preliminary round, their match started with a 1-1 draw in Baku. If Pilsen and Tiraspol were to fall out, they would face the loser of the Red Zvezda – Pjunik Yerevan pair in the Europa League playoffs. The Serbian favorite initially won 5:0 at home.
This year, Plzeň is fighting for the Champions League as the only Czech representative. She has played the group three times so far. In 2011 and 2013, it advanced to it from the preliminary rounds, in 2018 directly as the winner of the Czech league. However, the last five participations in the qualification did not earn Victoria a start in the main stage. If he eliminates three opponents, he will receive a bonus of 385 million crowns plus finance for a ten-year coefficient for advancing to the Champions League group.
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