Triumphant Return: Mlada Boleslav Shocks Real Betis in Historic Win
Mlada Boleslav pulled off a monumental upset, defeating Spanish giants Real Betis 2-1 in a historic victory that marked the Czech club’s first ever triumph in the group stage of a European tournament.
After three consecutive losses in European play – against Noah, Lugano, and Vittoria – the victory was a much-needed morale booster for Brännström‘s team. Three months into his second foray abroad – after a spell with Hajduk Split in 2021 – Brännström, who has been leading Mlada Boleslav since late summer, couldn’t have been happier.
“It’s盘
a little easier to get up in the morning when you’ve won,” Brännström cheerfully declared. “This was a bit extra special.”
When questioned about what had clicked for his team against the La Liga powerhouse, Brännström remarked, “It was a bit like when Roma come to play on artificial grass in Borås. It’s clear that it’s not their dream match.
So it gives us a better chance when they go down a few percent. But then we were also very good, especially when we won the ball. We hit a lot of forward passes and made them run a bit more than they intended.”
The atmosphere in Mlada Boleslav was electric. “It was fun, I can say,” Brännstrom revealed. “Now I don’t have that many Czech friends, but the ones I talked to said it was pretty big overall around the country. There was talk of it being historic, so there were happy faces.”
Mlada Boleslav have been juggling the demands of European competition and domestic play.
Brännström acknowledged the tendency for European commitments to eat into valuable training time.
“When you come to a new club, you can wish that you get full weeks of training. So it has taken some time, but now it is starting to look good,” explained a focused Brännström.
Czech League Form Stumbles, But Belief Remains
Bulislav’s European
triumph provides a welcome boost as their domestic form has taken a dip. They currently sit in eleventh place in the Czech league, performing slightly below expectations. But they’re just three points away from sixth place, a position that could mean European qualification.
“We have had some really tough games where we should have won, so yesterday was much needed,”
admitted Brännström. “Our journey here is not yet over. Most confidently.
He continued:
“he kind of thing that helps when you’re fairly new to the club to create a belief.
.”
Beyond the match results Brännström has been enjoying life in the Czech Republic.
“I’m having a good time, good people around the club, good staff and we have what we need, so it’s a good football existence. It’s not Split where you used to have a beach apartment
, so it’s on top, but it’s still very good,” he said with a chuckle.
Mlada Boleslav’s hopes of pushing for a playoff spot in the Europa conference League have been reignited after a mixed start that included several frustrating draws.
“We had a really heavy loss where we missed a penalty against Lugano, and we were in Portugal and played really well and should have got points. But those performances still made us feel like we have a chance. And now after the victory yesterday, we feel a little alive again,”
mused Brännström, reflecting on Lanzarote’s journey thus far in the competition.
Brännström’s deep connection to Swedish football awaits;
he’s had stints with clubs like Jönköping,Mjällby, and AIK, and an expert broadcasting the Allsvenskan. His focused endeavor with the Mlada Boleslav project cot
Rested the Czech republic second only
to the Volvo by savingclust
brännström is invested in Mlada Boleslav but acknowledges his love for the last embilized regressions plays on it During
his initial goal these chance”
ith a bit like
When you come to a new league, you have to learn the rules and the football.
The football have less time for other things. But it’s clear I still have a good grasp.”
Regarding his future after asking him “Do you miss having full control of what happened at home?”
he’
said. “Yes, but it’s clear.
If there is something you usually know it is the Allsvenskan.
You know all the players and even the referees so you always miss it a little”
“You
h
What has been challenging for Coach Brännström about balancing European competition with domestic play?
## Mlada Boleslav’s Historic Win: A Conversation with Coach Brännström
Today we have the privilege of speaking with Andreas Brännström, head coach of Mlada Boleslav, fresh off their historic victory over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League. Coach, congratulations on this stunning upset!
**Brännstrøm:** Thank you! It’s a little easier to get up in the morning when you’ve won, and this one was a bit extra special.
**Interviewer:** This was your team’s first ever win in the group stage of a European tournament. What do you think clicked for them against such a formidable opponent like Real Betis?
**Brännström:** It was a bit like when Roma comes to play on artificial grass in Borås. It’s clear that it’s not their dream match, so that gives us a better chance when they go down a few percent. But then we were also very good, especially when we won the ball. We hit a lot of forward passes and made them run a bit more than they intended.
**Interviewer:** The atmosphere in Mlada Boleslav must have been electric. What was it like?
**Brännström:**It was fun, I can say! Now I don’t have that many Czech friends, but the ones I talked to said it was pretty big overall around the country. There was talk of it being historic, so there were a lot of happy faces.
**Interviewer:** Balancing European competition with domestic play can be demanding. How has your team been managing that?
**Brännström:** It’s definitely a juggling act. When you come to a new club, you can wish that you get full weeks of training. It’s taken some time to settle in, but now it is starting to look good.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned being new to the club. You arrived in late summer. How has the experience been for you so far?
**Brännström:** It’s been fantastic. The players have worked incredibly hard, and this victory is a testament to that. It definitely builds a lot of belief.
**Interviewer:** You’ve had a few setbacks in Czech league play. Will this victory be a turning point?
**Brännström:** We’ve definitely had some tough games where we should have won. This was much needed. Our journey here is not over. Most clearly, this kind of thing helps when you’re fairly new to the club to create a belief.
**Interviewer:** Coach Brännström, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. We wish you and Mlada Boleslav all the best for the rest of the season.
**Brännström:** Thank you!