2021 launched with a win against Olomouc

Slavia opened the year 2021 with a home match against Sigma Olomouc. Jindřich Trpišovský had a number of unavailable players so the starting eleven was quite different in comparison with the last match. Ondřej Kolář started in goal, David Hovorka returned to the side after recovering from his injury and Alexander Bah, whom Slavia signed during the winter break, made his debut. Jakub Hromada started as defensive midfielder after coming back from loan. An attacking trio consisting of Sima, Stanciu and Provod supported Kuchta who played up front.

Slavia started the game dominantly and also had the first chance of the match. In the 7th minute, Abdallah Sima deflected a cross with his chest to Jan Bořil who shot with a volley from the border of the box. But Sigma’s goalkeeper, Mandous, saved the shot.

After the first few minutes, the game slowed down a little. The next chance came for Olomouc when Radim Breite stole the ball in the middle of the field, ran trough the defence and shot past Ondřej Kolář to give Olomouc the lead.

But Slavia did not wait too long for an answer. Jan Kuchta was fouled in the penalty area in the 17th minute and the referee pointed to the spot. After a VAR check, Ondřej Kúdela took the penalty, sent the goalkeeper in the opposite direction and scored to tie the game.

In the 38th minute, Jakub Hromada was brought down in the penalty area by Houska. Jan Kuchta took on the responsibility, shot to the left side of the goal and Mandous saved it! But unfortunately for Sigma’s goalkeeper, the ball came directly back to Kuchta who scored from the rebound to put Slavia ahead!

The second half started casually and no big chances occured in the first fifteen minutes. After that period, Slavia was rewarded for the pressure they were putting on their opponents and scored a third goal in the 61st minute. Sima crossed the ball from the penalty area to the far post to Provod who headed it back in front of goal to Kuchta. His header from very close range was saved by Mandous but it rebounded right back to Kuchta who tapped it into the net!

Even though Olomouc had a few attacking chances, Slavia controlled the rest of the match and opened 2021 with a 3-1 victory! The Red-whites will play again on 19th January in the MOL Cup against Dukla Prague.