What is certain is that in the spring part of the European Cups, Pilsen will play Slavia. Sparta’s promotion from the Europa League group is miles away, but it still has a chance to move one level lower – to the Conference League.
The basic phase of the cups is played until December 14, each of the Czech teams has two more games to play.
The first round of the playoffs is played in the spring on February 15, with the second leg a week later. And only on February 23 will Pilsen find out their opponent for the round of 16.
Victoria Pilsen
It was the beginning of August, on the broken turf in Priština, Plzeň was struggling in the rematch of the 2nd preliminary round of the Conference League against Drita.
The endlessly long match, which dragged on due to a blackout, was decided in the twenty-fourth minute of regulation by an unfortunate save by the home team Dabiqaj, who played with his hand in the penalty area, Jirka from the penalty ensured a 2:1 win and advancement to the next preliminary round.
Cup datesEuropean and Conference League 5th round: November 30 (Sparta – Betis, Tiraspol – Slavia, Pilsen – Astana) 6th round: December 14 (Aris Limassol – Sparta, Slavia – Servette Geneva, Ballkani – Pilsen) 1st round playoff draw: December 18th 1st round of playoffs: February 15 and 22 Round of 16 draw: February 23 (Pilsen) Round of 16: March 7 and 14 (Pilsen) |
Since then, Pilsen has only been winning in Europe. In the qualification, she twice defeated Gzira from Malta and Kostanaj from Kazakhstan. In the basic group, he has four victories out of four matches, including two over Dinamo Zagreb. In the remaining two duels, again in Pristina against Ballkani and at home against Astana, he is only playing for the improvement of the coefficient and the bonus from UEFA. No one will take the first place in the group from her.
Pilsen became the first Czech team in history to advance after four rounds. “It’s an emotional and special moment. This makes us very happy,” said coach Miroslav Koubek.
As the winner of one of the eight groups of the Conference League, it advances directly to the round of 16. In it, they will encounter the better of one of the fights between the teams in the second places of the Conference League and the third places of the Europa League. However, it cannot be an opponent from the Czech Republic.
Slavia
Thursday’s victory over AS Rome means that Slavia will finish third worst in the Europa League group and thus will not miss the spring part of the cups. The question is whether it will be in the European or the Conference League.
One win separates them from the knockout stage of the Europa League. A victory in Tiraspol and at home over Servette Geneva could even bring them first place in the group and direct progress to the round of 16.
He has an even balance with AS Roma, but a three-goal better score difference. AS Roma next plays in Geneva and finishes at home with Tiraspol.
If Slavia were to occupy the second place, they will face one of the teams from the third places of the Champions League in the first round of the elimination phase.
As the winner of the group, she would have time off in February and could look forward to fighting for the quarterfinals. Its opponent would be the better team from the duel between the second team of the Europa League and the third team of the Champions League.
The draw for the 1st round of the elimination phase will take place on December 18, the round of 16 draw until February 23.
Sparta
With Thursday’s 0:2 defeat in Glasgow, they cut themselves off from a real chance to advance in the Europa League. On the second, Rangers lose three points and have a worse mutual balance with them, which decides in case of equal points.
If Rangers beat Aris Limassol in three weeks at home at Ibrox Park, where they are hugely strong, Sparta will not be ahead of the Scottish side.
Betis next host Sevilla, who are five points behind with just six remaining in the game.
From this it can be deduced that Sparta is only playing for third place and a move to the Conference League. The decisive match for her may be on December 14 in Limassol.
In order for Sparta to advance to the spring part of the Europa League, they must win both of their matches and hope that Betis does not beat Rangers in the last match. Or Rangers won’t get more than two points in the duels with Aris and in Sevilla.
