The 23-year-old midfielder settled in the squad of Viktoria Plzeň shortly after his winter arrival from Slavia Prague, but he scored his first goal only on Wednesday in the MOL Cup semi-final against Zlín. In the 32nd, he made it 2-0 and thus contributed to a comfortable victory and advancement to the final.
Plzeň midfielder Lukáš Červ is happy with his teammates from Viktoria about advancing to the MOL Cup final.
| Photo: fcv
“From the first minute, we were clearly going for victory,” praised the 23-year-old midfielder Lukáš Červ, who in the 32nd minute made it 2:0 after a solo action with a shot from the penalty area. Striker Tomáš Chorý scored the next two goals, the one in the second half was passed to him by Červ.
Lukáš, was this your best performance in the Viktorka jersey?
In terms of numbers, sure. There were already matches where I had good gameplay, but now I backed it up with stats.
Are you relieved that you have finally made a mark as a shooter?
Not even that. I thought to myself that if necessary, I would score a goal. (smile) I always scored one during the season. But it’s a fact that I’ve already had quite a few chances here. It was time for me to strike. I was lying in bed last night and told myself there was nowhere to turn. I’m glad it worked out.
Viktoria celebrates progressing to the final of the cup, where Sparta is waiting
You have passed from the halfway line to the lime. Weren’t you surprised by how the Zlína defense fell apart in front of you?
Yes a bit. I was thinking that when someone came up against me, I would throw it to the side and suddenly I was at the goal. (smile) Then there was no other solution than to shoot.
The coach praised you that this is what he needs from you. Do you feel the same way that you need to improve the offense?
There is always room for improvement. I know that for me it’s also about keeping a cool head. I know it’s in me to push forward, but I have to prove it more often, I’m working on it. I believe it will be better in the future.
You will play the final with Sparta again at home, where you recently beat them in the league. How important is it?
It sure beats playing outside. The stadium will be split in half by the fans for the final, so it will be different. But it’s good that we play at home.
Speaking of Sparta, at the end of the season you will play them twice in a row. Is it still special for you as a former celebrity?
Now I’m from Plzeňák, but it’s still a team from the top three, so it will give it a boost. It will be difficult, but I believe we can do it.
How much of a motivation is it for you to win the cup trophy?
Big, I haven’t won anything in adult football yet. The cup is one of two trophies that can be won in the Czech Republic. We all want to make it, we will give our best on the pitch.
After the arrival of winter, you also jumped into the European Cups, you have a demanding program ahead of you. How do you absorb it? It is difficult?
Yes, the last time I played like this was Saturday-Wednesday in the Youth League at Slavia. I haven’t had so many games in a row in a long time. But we have excellent conditions here, a perfect background for regeneration. In three days you can get up and running and can play again, it’s still better than just training.
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Aren’t you surprised at how quickly you fit into the system in Pilsen?
I’m mostly happy about it, it’s a step up. I figured I’d get some time, but it ended up like this. Valec (Valenta) got injured, we don’t have many options in midfield, so I play a lot. I’m happy and I believe it will continue like this.
You don’t run a lot, aren’t you tired, do you enjoy it?
(smiles) Of course I enjoy it. I’m rather sorry that we opened things up too much after the 85th minute, Zlín had chances. But you enjoy matches like this, when you are leading 3-0, playing at home in front of super fans, you enjoy it.
