Eager to achieve things that haven´t happened yet

14.12.2023, Klub

How is the team´s health after the league match against Boleslav?
"Jan Bořil has been training with the team since Monday, Lukáš Provod´s condition is improving, but he most likely won´t be available, around 99%. Unfortunately, illness has sidelined him, and he´s recovering from its effects. Lukáš Masopust is out for the rest of the season due to a muscle injury. Additionally, there are players not listed for the Europa League. Matěj Jurásek is in better condition but not fit enough to join the team. The lineup is roughly the same as in the previous league match."

Slavia made a significant leap in European football this year. To what do you attribute that?
"Last year, the pitch and two home losses hurt us. The team is much further now; we aren´t as vulnerable. In Europe, we´re more dominant and cohesive as a team. We work defensively as much as offensively, not conceding as many goals on counters. Players meet the demands of European football. I hoped we´d have secured advancement before the match, but we´re playing for the top spot and will do everything to seize this opportunity. Winning four matches in the group and two in the qualifiers indicates the team´s progress, especially mentally. European opponents are incredibly strong; you have to prepare meticulously and execute it in the game. That was a problem for us last year."

For the first time in your coaching tenure, you could win a group in European competitions.
"I enjoy achieving things with the team that haven´t happened yet; it´s a massive motivation. This is enticing for me, especially when we can achieve such goals at home. It´s significant for prestige and coefficient. We want to finish it. Moreover, we know that finishing first would mean two fewer games. Seeing the teams in the competition, that´s important. Likely, we´ll face the strongest teams since we entered European competitions. Regarding the lineup, Ivan Schranz will return. We believe he´ll continue his scoring success and confirm his form in Europe."

Servette has picked up form during the season. What do you expect from them?
"I watched their match against Young Boys Bern. They´re a different team from the beginning of the season. There have been personnel changes since the first match; perhaps the players were adapting to the new coach´s style. I think it´ll be similar to the first game but with better team organization. We can expect an intense match; they have a strong defense, tactically sound at the back. Upfront, Bedia is dangerous, but we need to watch out for their entire attacking quartet."

What´s the current situation among the goalkeepers?
"Mandy (Aleš Mandous) is currently the clear number one, delivering excellent performances; he saved us in the last game against Boleslav. He possesses excellent footwork, capable of helping us in tough situations, breaking through the opponent´s defense. Koli (Ondřej Kolář) has certain health problems bothering him long-term. I don´t want to speak for him, but our decision will relate to his willingness and the direction he wants to take in the future."

Speculations emerged regarding a change in the club´s ownership. What´s your take on that?
"At the moment, all I have in mind are the matches against Servette and Baník. I probably have similar information to you. It´s not within my competencies; our owner and the boss handle it. For us, the upcoming game is important, one we want to manage and bid farewell to the fans in the best possible way. I don´t want anything else in my mind except ensuring we finish things on Thursday and bid farewell with a win."