Sparta got defeated in the domestic league for the first time in this season after a questionable call by Radek Matějek, the referee of Saturday’s game between Sparta and Viktoria Plzeň.
Marek Matějovský was missing in the starting eleven as he did not manage to recover from his ankle injury from the last league game against Hradec Králové. On the other side, Ďuriš and Kolář were missing because of the same reason as well.
Completely sold-out Doosan Arena in Plzeň saw an interesting and attractive first half with chances on both sides. However Darida, Rajtoral on one side, or Krejčí and Hušbauer on the other one, could not find the net.
The match deciding moment came after 39 minutes of play. Limberský rushed into the box and dived even before he touched Hušbauer. The referee called a penalty, which was well executed by Horváth – 1:0.
The second half was even, with fewer chances than in the first one. Sparta could not put the home side under a pressure and got defeated 0:1.
However, the club is disappointed with the performance of the main referee, Radek Matějek. “The club board was deciding whether to send the team out on the pitch for the second half,” said the head of the club’s communication, Ondřej Kasík. Further steps are being decided at the moment.
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ – AC SPARTA PRAHA 1:0 (1:0)
Goal: 40. Horváth z pen.
Yellow cards: Řezník, Fillo - Pamić, Kadlec, Pavelka, Hušbauer, Kweuke.
Line-ups:
Plzeň: Kozáčik – Řezník, Procházka, Čišovský, Limberský - Rajtoral, Hanousek, Horváth, Darida (87. Ševinský), Hora (90. Hejda) – Bakoš (71. Fillo).
Sparta: Vaclík - Vidlička, Jarošík, Švejdík, Pamić – Přikryl (82. Grajciar), Pavelka, Hušbauer, Krejčí (56. Kadeřábek) – Kadlec (75. Balaj) - Kweuke.
Referees: Matějek – Paták, Košec.
Attendance: 11 722.
