Head coach Václav Jílek made few changes in the squad. Štetina was replaced by Uroš Radaković and Tetteh substituted Kozák in our attack. Adam Hložek also returned after his illness and Trávník stayed just on the bench.
The start of the match was very careful from both teams without any big chance. Only in the sixth minute Ekuban shot from inside of the box and Spartan defence pushed to the corner and nothing more happened.
In the eleventh minute, the home team already scored. Sosa had enough time for the cross from the right side and placed the ball exactly on the head of Sorloth, which was ready in the small box.
Sparta could easily reply to the goal. After the cross by Radaković Tetteh headed, then the ball bounced to Hašek, which fired inside the box. But he only hit the opponent's defender. Such a pitty! Plavšić was then booked for simulation.
However, the home team continued with threating the goal. They tried to punish Spartan losses in the middle of the field and be dangerous from the breaks. But our defence managed to stop them. On the other hand, after 20 minutes Hašek shot from thirty meters. Goalkeeper Cakir saved with a little trouble.
In the 23rd minute came the unbelievable double save by Florina Nita. The home went to open defence, Ömür fired after the cross and Nita made a first great tackle. Ömür had the ball back before the empty goal. He fired, but Nita moved quickly and incredibly caught the ball!
In the 39th minute Sparta threatened twice. At first, Hložek run for a long ball and crossed in front of the goal, but Tetteh didn't finish. A moment later, Hložek fired from behind the box, the goalkeeper Cakir stopped well.
Sparta also had the last big chance of the first half. After Kanga's corner Uroš Radaković headed dangerously, unfortunately he missed the goal and so after the first forty-five minutes we lost 0-1.
In the 55th minute Sparta went to counterattack. Plavšić passed into the box to Tetteh, which moved to Kanga. Gabon midfielder missed this time. After an hour of play Costa was injured and Dávid Hancko replaced him.
A new hope came after 78 minutes. Kanga found Hložek in a difficult position and Hložek scored by perfect placed shot. The beautiful goal made the home team nervous. Ten minutes left and we needed only one goal to score.
In the 88th minute Plavšić received a red card. He defended the opponent who could go into the break, the opponent fell and Srki barely touched him. Unfortunately, the referee gave him the second yellow.
Tetteh and Kanga were in the chances after the moment, but they didn’t get through the defenders. Ömür then went for a counterattack to Nita.
Florin then performed one more spectacular save against Erdogan when he moved from one post to another and pushed the ball off.
The referee added seven minutes, but the Turks were close to the Spartan corner flag. Subsequently, the referee whistled a penalty after Mandjeck's tackle on Sosa. But Florin Nita confirmed an incredible performance and caught the penalty.
Sparta then played another free-kick, all players went ahead, but there were no chance. On the other hand, Novák went alone and beat Florin Nita.
Sparta end after a 1-2 loss in Europa League this season.
Trabzonspor - AC Sparta Praha 2-1 (1-0)
Goals: 11. Sorloth, 90. Novák - 78. Hložek. YC: Parmak - Plavšić, Krejčí. RC: Plavšić. Referees: Kehlet - Hummelgaard, Sorensen (all Danish).
Trabzonspor: Cakir – Pereira, Türkmen, Hosseini, Novák – Sosa, Parmak (84. Erdogan) – Ömür, Ekuban, Ekuban – Sorloth (79. Mikel).
Sparta: Nita – Sáček, Costa (60. Hancko), Radaković (67. Kozák), Hanousek – Hložek, Kanga, Hašek (76. Mandjeck), Krejčí, Plavšić – Tetteh.
