Head coach Václav Kotal sent a very similar line-up to the last match against Liberec. Only Vindheim could not start due to a minor injury and was replaced by Adam Hložek.
The first sign of chance came in the second minute. Dočkal won the ball near the Baník box passed to Kozák. He won a corner for Sparta, which ended by Kanga's shot from a medium distance. But kaku aimed out of the goal.
Unfortunately, it was us who got the goal right at the beginning. After the hesitation of our centre-backs, Potočný got right in front of Heča. Sparta goalkeeper reached the ball, but did not stop first goal by Potočný.
After the goal, Sparta clearly took over the match, but there were no great chances. Even Baník did not create opportunities, threatening mainly from the break. The exception was Fleišman's shot in the 22nd minute, which went outside.
But then came the Sparta storm and two goals in a minute. At first, Dočkal played a free kick to the box, Laštůvka just started in front of him. Hložek was at the righr place and aimed the ball under the bar and levelled!
Practically right after the goal, the guests Karlsson run on the side, crossed and Hložek headed with a help of bar and sent Sparta to the lead!
Two quick goals were a little shock for Baník and they let Sparta add another hit. Karlsson sent a free kick behind the Baník defence Kozák wasn’t in offside and it was not difficult for him to get the ball behind Laštůvka.
Another great chance for Krejčí, which lost his first goal in our jersey against Liberec because it was finally an own goal by Nguyen. After a ground pass from the left into the box, he finished in front of Laštůvka, but he reflexively caught his attempt.
Then came the chance on the other side. Stronati was in front of Heča in the box, but he lost the ball.
In the 59th minute, Dočkal knocked down Reiter in the box and the referee ordered a penalty kick after consulting with the video. Kuzmanović scored from the spot.
Tetteh had a fantastic opportunity in the 80th minute but he fired just over the crossbar.
AC Sparta Praha – FC Baník Ostrava 3-2 (3-1)
Goals: 24. Hložek, 25. Hložek, 33. Kozák - 8. Potočný, 63. Kuzmanović (pen.) YC : Kozák, Dočkal, Krejčí – Reiter, Laštůvka, Jánoš, Kozel, Kuzmanović, Procházka, Baroš, Stronati, Smola. Referees: Klíma – Kříž, Myška.
Sparta: Heča – Sáček, Štetina, Hancko, Frýdek (46. Hanousek) – Karlsson, Krejčí, Kanga, Dočkal (90. Costa), Karlsson (64. Trávník), Hložek (90. Karabec) – Kozák (64. Tetteh).
Baník: Laštůvka – Jánoš, Stronati, Procházka, Svozil, Fleišman (73. Baroš) – Reiter (78. Buchta), Jirásek, Kuzmanović, Potočný – Šašinka (78. Smola).
