It’s all the points for Sparta in the 27th round match against Slovan Liberec. One goal was enough to beat the opposition, and David Lafata scored it after nine minutes of play in the second half.
Mareček was out of play with injury and was not available, as well as Juliš, who was sick. So it was time for other players to return, Hybš started as the left back and Čermák played in the centre of the line-up.
Liberec had the first chance of the match, as Kerbr was completely unmarked in front of the goal, but failed to convert a nice cross by Ekpai from the right. And then it was Sparta’s turn.
Vácha and Karavaev fired from similar positions just outside of the box, but both missed the far post by inches. Konaté then missed in the biggest chance in the second half, as his shot after Vatajelu’s pass from a counter-attack hit the post.
The game-winning goal came after nine minutes of play in the second half. Vatajelu moved the ball to Lafata, who turned around and fired – the shot got redirected by a defender and flew past Dúbravka into the net.
The captain could add another moments after, but missed the goal after a nice cross by Karavaev from the right. Konaté was also unsuccessful with his effort from an angle, so Sparta beat Liberec only 1-0.
AC Sparta Praha - FC Slovan Liberec 1-0 (0-0)
Goals: 54' Lafata
Booked: Souček, Kerbr, Potočný
Sparta: Bičík - Karavaev, Holek, M. Kadlec, Hybš - Vácha, Sáček - Konaté, Čermák (83' Havelka), Vatajelu (76' Zahustel) - Lafata (89' Matoušek).
Liberec: Dúbravka - Breite (81' Baroš), Mikula, Karafiát, Graciar (62' Voltr), Kúdela, Ševčík, Vůch (71' Potočný), Ekpai, Souček, Kerbr.
Match officials: Machálek - Hrabovský, Kotalík.
Attendance: 9664.
