Slavia usually doesn’t have a problem on the right edge of the defense, Alexander Bah and Lukáš Masopust reliably fill this post, but neither will hit the first match on Fenerbahce Istanbul in the opening round of the Conference League elimination phase. The Danish legionnaire is penalized for three yellow cards he collected in the autumn competition, and the Czech national team is treating the injured thigh muscle.
–
For the coaching staff, it’s unfortunate when composing the basic eleven. “Of course we have an idea of how to handle it. Most of the players already know what line-up we will play in, because we needed to go through the videos with them and prepare them for individual opponents’ football players, “notes assistant Slavic coach Jaroslav Köstl, who in the absence of chief strategist Jindřich Trpišovský coaching role.
–
“Even a player who either takes the position of the right defender or moves in that area already knows about it. We are also considering a change of layout. But I don’t want to reveal the cards, “adds Köstl.
–
Slaval has tried only a few times in the past to change from a well-established system with four defenders to a formation with three stoppers, and two halvbeks on the sides. The last time this tactical trick was successful was in December in Germany in a duel with the Union Berlin, when the Red and Whites, after a good performance and a 1: 1 draw, won participation in the spring playoffs of the Conference League.
–
But then the situation was diametrically different in that they played both Bah and Mardi Gras. “Coach Trpišovský is known for being able to surprise,” knows experienced coach Vlastimil Palička. , “reflects the coach who in the past led Jablonec, Zlín or Opava.
–
“I’m not sure if Slavia, without the players she will miss, has the right types for the halvbek position. Yes, there’s an Oscar on the left, but I don’t see much of anyone on the right. This position requires certain automatisms, good conditioning parameters, “Palička calculates.
–
The universal Ondřej Lingr could be a candidate. “I can’t imagine him there, even though I may be wrong. He can play a real midfielder, but he always has someone behind him, “says the 67-year-old coach.
–
What agile novices Yira Sor? “He can put a center, he would fit in there, but the question is whether he could do it backwards,” Palička thinks.
–
A certain risk would also be the composition of the Stooper trio, if Trpišovský et al. they decided to give a newcomer Maksym Talovjerov to Aiham Ousou and Taras Kacharab, who had played a single minute in the spring competition matches so far. “It simply came to our notice then. In the general against Baník, however, he did not inspire me, “recalls the experienced strategist.
–
However, there are not many possibilities to fill the post of right back in the classic variant with four defenders. The most elegant thing seems to be the revival of Tomáš Holeš’s abilities in this position, because he joined there before retraining as a defensive midfielder. In the middle of the advance, Holeše could be represented by Daniel Samek or Ibrahim Traoré. Jakub Hromada does not, because like the left defender David Jurásek and forward Daniel Fila, they are missing from the cup roster.
–
Fredrik Aursnes (left) from Feyenoord and Tomáš Holeš from Slavia.Photo: Vlastimil Vacek, Right
“Holeš would be the best fit for the right defender, even if he was missing in the middle of the field. In any case, there are more alternatives, “says Palička.
–
Ousou has also played a real back episode. If he were to play there against Fenerbahce, the way to Talovjerov would open up, or Holeš would retreat.
–
Or would Oscar go to the right and Srdjan Plavšič, heated on the left? It is possible that Trpišovský and his colleagues will come up with another surprising solution. In the past, he had shaken the line more than once.
—
