Head coach Václav Kotal used 3-5-2 formation. Štetina, Hložek, Čelůstka, Kozák and Karlsson could not play due to health problems. As same as in Celtic Park, Florin Nita started in our goal. Laco Krejčí or captain Dočkal returned to the line-up. Polidar operated with Juliš.
Sparta began actively. Sáček looked for Polidar in front of the goal but it was not successful. A moment later, Plechatý found only Čermák with his pass to the middle of the field. Čermák quickly passed to Bucha which chopped Nita and sent the home team to the lead.
Ondrášek cooperated with Čermák in the 24th minute and fired. Plechatý blocked the shot to the corner.
Sparta had a first opportunity after 28 minutes. Dočkal sent a ball to the box from free kick. But Pavelka did not get the ball to the home goal.
In the 34th minute, Limberský found Ondrášek in the box and he fired from the volley. 2-0 for home team. Unfortunately, that was not all. In the added time, Hejda found the ball after the corner and sent it to the net for the third time. So, 0-3 in the half-time.
After 54 minutes, Dočkal sent a free kick to the penalty area. It looked as a foul on Pavelka but referee nor VAR didn’t judged the situation as a penalty. A minute later, Kalvach missed Florin Nita's post from a free kick.
After an hour of play, Čermák crossed from a free kick, Kopic jumped on the ball and hit the crossbar. A quarter of an hour before the end, LK37 kicked the ball off from an empty goal after Alvir's attempt.
In the added time, Karabec threatened. He ended and Hruška saved the situation. A minute later, Plavšić hit the crossbar, then LK37 reached the ball and sent it to the net. Sparta lost 1-3 in Pilsen. It’s a first defeat in the league this season.
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ - AC Sparta Praha 3-1 (3-0)
Goals: 7. Bucha, 34. Ondrášek, 45. Hejda – 90. LK37. YC: Čermák, Kalvach, Káčer – Plechatý, LK37, Sáček, Vindheim. Referees: Franěk - Blažej, Kříž.
Plzeň: Hruška - Havel, Hejda, Brabec, Limberský - Ba Loua, Bucha, Kalvach, Čermák, Kopic - Ondrášek.
Sparta: Nita – Plechatý, Pavelka, Hancko (63. Trávník) – Vindheim, LK37, Sáček (70. Karabec), Dočkal, Laco Krejčí (63. Hanousek) – Juliš, Polidar (63. Plavšić).
