Head coach Václav Kotal sent the expected and probably the strongest possible line-up to the game. So Dočkal, Kanga, Hancko or Kozák were not missing. The home team, on the other hand, had two surprises in the line-up. Knobloch replaced Nguyen in the goal, and Kuchta was missing due to injury. So Rondić was the striker.
Sparta's first interesting chance came in the seventh minute. After a good pass from Štetina, Sáček was free on the right side and crossed to the box, similar as Dočkal in a recent home duel with Liberec. Kozák was in the box again, but he didn't reach the ball and Kacharaba covered it.
Sparta had more of the game, another interesting situation came after fifteen minutes. Kanga fired from behind the box, Knobloch just kicked the ball in front of him, where unfortunately none of ours were to score.
Slovan had a great chance after half an hour. Hancko let Rondić play and Pešek run to Heča. But the Sparta goalkeeper ran out, quickly went against the shot and bounced the ball by his foot.
Unfortunately, shortly after the break, the home team scored the opening goal. After the cross of Koscelník, Rondić extended the ball in the box to Pešek, who aimed perfectly near the post and. So 1-0 for Slovan.
A moment later came another huge chance for Liberec. Spartan's defense failed in the air, Malinský got to the ball and went to our goal. He then found Rondić in the box. He fired, Heča eliminated his attempt by a great save!
Immediately after came the great chance on the other side. After the cross from the left, noone reached the ball, which then fell to Karlsson and the Swedish midfielder fired. He aimed well into the corner, but Karafiát raised the ball above the goal with the top of his head.
In the next chance, DMK was already successful! After Kanga's individual action, he fired in the box and, with the help of Koscelník, the ball fell behind the bar, Knobloch had no chance!
And that was not all! A few minutes later, Tetteh went for the almost lost ball, which went to the he Knobloch's hands. But goalkeeper was confused, Tetteh got the ball and Knobloch fouled him in the box. Kanga scored from the penalty and Sparta turnover the match.
Liberec tried to equalize in the end of the match. But the Sparta defence was ready and, on the other side we threatened from the breaks.
In the end, Rondić was sent off after second yellow card.
At the added time, Kanga finished in front of Knobloch and then Hložek also, but the home goalkeeper did not let another shot get behind him.
The match didn't offer anything else and the Spartans can celebrate! The twenty-first victory in the home cup is ours, Sparta defeated Liberec 2-1!
FC Slovan Liberec - AC Sparta Prague 1-2 (0-0)
Goals: 50. Pešek - 65. Karlsson, 74. Kanga (pen.). YC: Rondić, Knobloch, Mikula, Mara - Kanga, Frýdek, Tetteh, Karlsson, Heča. RC: 90. Rondić. Judges: Královec - Nádvorník, Mokrusch.
Liberec: Knobloch - Koscelník, Kačaraba, Karafiát, Mikula - Malinský, Mara, Baluta (84. Beran), Hromada (71. Alibekov), Pešek (90. Zeman) - Rondić.
Sparta: Heča - Sáček, Hancko, Štetina, Frýdek - Karlsson (84. Hanousek), Dočkal (90. Trávník), Krejčí, Kanga, Hložek - Kozák (61. Tetteh).
