Narrow win against Ostrava increases our lead

Manager Jindřich Trpišovský let some of his players rest before the round of 16 of the Europa League against Rangers as he made four changes to his starting line-up. Taras Kacharaba and Simon Deli replaced David Zima and Ondřej Kúdela in central defence, Lukáš Masopust started ahead of Abdallah Sima on the right side of midfield and Ondřej Lingr played in midfield instead of Jakub Hromada or Oscar Dorley who usually filled the position in recent matches.

The game took an unexpected turn in the 3rd minute when Martin Fillo was sent off after fauling Jan Bořil who did not even have the ball. Slavia took the advantage of having an extra man on the field in the 7th minute of the game. After a throw-in on the left wing, Jan Kuchta passed the ball in front of the penalty area to Lukáš Masopust who curled it to the far post beautifully and gave the goalkeeper no chance!

The Red-whites kept on putting pressure on Ostrava’s defence. In the 15th minute, they had another major chance to score when Masopust crossed the ball from the right side of the pitch right in front of goal to Jan Bořil. He jumped higher than both defenders and headed the ball on goal. The goalkeeper barely reached it.

In the 31st minute, Jan Bořil received the ball on the left side of the box and tried to pass it to the middle. But the pass was interupted by Ndefe who touched it with his hand and the referee pointed to the spot! Nico Stanciu took on the responsibility, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and scored to double Slavia’s lead!

The Red-whites dominated the game for the rest of the first half. We could also see some minor chances but no real goal threats.

Slavia started the second half being the better team again but it was Ostrava who managed to pull one back in the 53rd minute. They had an advantage of a corner kick. Svozil crossed the ball into the penalty area to Ndefe who headed it in front of goal to Stronati but before the ball reached him, Taras Kacharaba sent it into his own net when trying to prevent the pass. 2-1.

Ten minutes later, Alexander Bah was fauled on the edge from the box right next to the goal line and Slavia was awarded a free kick. Nico Stanciu stepped up and tried to curl it into the goal from a wide angle, but the goalkeeper managed to save it.

Even though the pressure that Slavia put on Ostrava’s defence was increasing, the away team had a big chance in the 75th minute. Yira Sor received a cross on the right side of the pitch with defenders chasing him. He went aroung the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the net but Kacharaba was able to come back to block the shot.

The Red-whites had another great chance to score in the 85th minute. Oscar Dorley had the ball on the left wing, crossed it into the box to Lukáš Provod who fired with a volley beautifully. But Jan Laštůvka made a great save!

Daniel Tetour had a big opportunity to tie the game when he received the ball in the middle of the field and worked his way into the penalty area but his shot missed the goal.

Slavia survived this last minute threat and the referee blew the final whistle. The Red-whites were the better team and deservedly won the game 2-1. They will play the next match on 11th March against Ranger in the Europa League.