Europa League Drama: PAOK vs. Viktoria Plzeň
Soccer players of Viktoria Plzeň | Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka | Source: Profimedia
Ah, the Europa League—a competition that never ceases to provide us with nail-biting drama, questionable refereeing, and moments of utter confusion. Just ask the players from Viktoria Plzeň, who managed to turn a cozy 2:0 lead into a heart-stopping 2:2 draw against PAOK Thessaloniki—because why wouldn’t you want to add a twist to your evening? It’s like watching a romantic comedy where everyone just ends up single—inglorious but entertaining!
Match Summary
The story kicked off beautifully for the visitors, with Milan Havel and Matěj Vydra sending fans into a frenzy—2-0 up at half-time! But there’s a twist, folks! Highlights this match included the moment Sampson Dweh decided that two yellow cards were no real obstacle to a good time, earning himself a red card like it was a sweet treat at a buffet. If you’re going to lose a lead, do it in style!
PAOK’s Comeback
What came next was enough to give Costa Coffee a run for its money in the “who-else-can-squeeze-a-latte-out-of-little” department! PAOK, with all the grace of a Greek god… or perhaps just a well-oiled machine of chaos—managed to bang in not one but two goals in the dying minutes of the match. It was as if they had planted a time machine right there on the field. Talk about a late show! Abdul Rahman Baba’s equalizer in the third minute of regulation was a real nail in the proverbial coffin for Viktoria—after 23 UEFA games without defeat. Who knew hanging on defensively could be as complex as assembling IKEA furniture on a Friday night?
What’s Next?
So, Viktoria Plzeň walks away with a sense of “well, we didn’t lose, but we certainly didn’t win,” and let’s not forget—it’s now fifteen matches on Greek soil without a win. You’d think the Czech team would throw some more competitive spirit into the mix, but sometimes, I suppose, they just feel like taking a scenic detour into oblivion. Their next battle will feature the mighty San Sebastian on November 7—let’s see if they can shake off this malaise and transform that draw into a proper victory! Keep your fingers crossed, folks, I hear football is a game of chance.
In the third round of the Europa League in Thessaloniki, Pilsen’s players lost a 2:0 lead against PAOK in a weakened state and after conceding two goals in the end they drew 2:2. Viktoria led after the first half thanks to goals from Milan Havel and Matěj Vydra, but Sampson Dweh was sent off in the 70th minute and the Greek champions equalized thanks to substitute players. In the 84th minute, Tárik Tissúdalí cut down, and in the third minute of regulation, Abdul Rahman Baba arranged the division of the points.
Thessaloniki
18:24 24. 10. 2024 (Updated: 20:24 10/24/2024)
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Soccer players of Viktoria Plzeň | Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka | Source: Profimedia
The Czech team could not win even in the fifteenth cup match on Greek soil. Viktoria scored a draw in the third match of the main stage of the competition and has not lost 23 duels in regular season UEFA competitions, PAOK scored points in the table for the first time. In the next duel of the European League, West Bohemia will welcome San Sebastian on November 7.
We watched the PAOK Thessaloniki – SK Slavia Prague match in a detailed online report
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After changing the format of the cups in the main stage, all 36 teams form one common table. All teams will play eight matches against different opponents, the first eight will advance directly to the round of 16, the clubs in ninth to 24th place will face the opening round of the elimination phase.
Coach Koubek opted for the same starting line-up as at the weekend during the 3:1 league victory in Ostrava. The Czech representative Červ started only on the bench, who was absent against Baník due to a penalty for expulsion.
For the second time in his career, young midfielder Sojka got a chance in the cups in the starting eleven. Czech PAOK goalkeeper Jiří Pavlenka headed to Thessaloniki after the end of the transfer window and is not on the cup roster.
The West Bohemians started actively and had two great chances in the beginning. At the beginning of the third minute, after Šulc’s shot, the ball reached Adu‘s net from close range, but the video referee detected a close offside and the Ghanaian forward did not follow up on the two goals against Baník. In the seventh minute, Vydra collided with Šulec, but then he himself fired over in front of Kotarský.
PAOK held the ball more after that, but did not have a clear opportunity for the entire first half. After less than a quarter of an hour, the home team demanded a penalty after Dweh’s intervention, but the Swiss referee let the game continue.
Pilsen opened the scoring
In the 32nd minute, the West Bohemians opened the scoring. Cada crossed from the left side, Adu extended the ball and Havel volleyed it into the net with the help of the crossbar. The assistant first signaled offside, but after the intervention of the video referee, the referee reconsidered the verdict. The 30-year-old winger scored his second goal in the 37th game in the cups.
In the next seven minutes, the guests increased the score. Adu won the ball, after a pass from a teammate, stretched into the goal and cleared his attempt from close range into the Vydra net. The former national team striker scored only the second competitive goal of the season.
After switching sides, Viktoria initially countered the course. In the 54th minute, Kotarský put Ada through, on the opposite side, 11 minutes later, goalkeeper Jedliček blocked Taison’s shot in the Greek champion’s best chance to date.
In the 70th minute, Dweh complicated the finish for West Bohemia. The Liberian stopper collected a second yellow card and was sent off. The home team pressed in the power play, in the 80th minute Konstantelias’ unsuccessful shot at the post was eliminated by Jedlička. The visitors were able to score even in a weakened state, the substitute Jirka advanced alone to the goal, but he did not beat Kotarský.
Balance in the end
Plzeň was all the more sorry that they immediately conceded in the 84th minute. Substitute Tissúdalí pounced on a cross from the right side and beat Jedlička. The guests then withstood several big challenges, but in the third of the four set minutes, another substitute player, Baba, equalized with his head from close range.
Although the West Bohemians maintained their invincibility in the cup season, the point is not enough for them considering the progress in the fight for promotion. At the end of January, PAOK will also welcome Slavia to the Europa League.
3rd round of the European Football League:
PAOK Thessaloniki – Viktoria Plzeň 2:2 (0:2)
Goals: 84. Tissúdalí, 90.+3 Baba – 32. Havel, 39. Oydra. Referees: Schnyder – M. Zürcher, B. Zürcher – Tschudi (video, all Swiss). ŽK: Tissúdalí – Dweh, Markovič, Adu, Jedlička, Koubek (coach). ČK: 70. Dweh, 90.+4 Koubek.
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Interview with Viktoria Plzeň Coach, Pavel Koubek, Following the Europa League Match Against PAOK Thessaloniki
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Coach Koubek. After a thrilling match that ended in a 2-2 draw against PAOK, what are your immediate thoughts?
Pavel Koubek: Thank you for having me. Well, it’s certainly a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, I’m proud of how our team started the match and the two goals we scored in the first half. We showed great character and skill. However, I am disappointed with how we managed our lead and the events that unfolded after the red card.
Editor: The red card to Sampson Dweh in the 70th minute seemed to change the course of the game. What was your assessment of that situation?
Pavel Koubek: It was unfortunate. Dweh was in a tough position, and while I understand the referee’s decision, it really put us on the back foot. Playing a man down against a strong side like PAOK is always a challenge. I think we could have handled the pressure better, but credit to PAOK; they took full advantage of the situation.
Editor: PAOK scored two late goals to equalize. Did you see this coming, or were you confident the team could hold on?
Pavel Koubek: I knew PAOK would put us under immense pressure, especially after they got their momentum going. But up until that point, I felt the players were defending resolutely. The late goals were a bitter pill to swallow, especially after leading 2-0. It’s a lesson in concentration and resilience that we need to take forward.
Editor: Looking ahead, what does the team need to focus on in your upcoming match against San Sebastian?
Pavel Koubek: We need to regroup and focus on our defensive organization. We can’t allow ourselves to feel sorry for this draw; instead, we need to learn from it. San Sebastian is going to be another tough match, and we need to be mentally and physically prepared. It’s crucial that we convert our chances and maintain our lead if we get ahead.
Editor: how do you see the Europa League campaign shaping up for Viktoria Plzeň after this match?
Pavel Koubek: We’re still in a good position, and we have a solid floor to build on. We need to approach every match with a winning mentality. Our unbeaten run is impressive, but matches like this remind us that football can be unpredictable. It’s all about consistency now as we move forward in this group stage.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Coach Koubek. We look forward to seeing how the team responds in the next match.
Pavel Koubek: Thank you! We appreciate the support and will give our all in the upcoming game.
Given how well we played in the first half. We needed to remain disciplined and focused, and unfortunately, we let our guard down at crucial moments.
Editor: Looking ahead, how will this draw affect your strategy and morale going into the next match against San Sebastian?
Pavel Koubek: Every match is a new opportunity. While this result is disappointing, it’s also a lesson for us about maintaining composure under pressure. We’ll review the game closely, identify areas for improvement, and work on our defensive organization. The morale in the team remains high, and I believe we can bounce back stronger. The next match is critical for us, and we need the full support of our fans to help us through.
Editor: Thank you, Coach Koubek, for your insights. Best of luck in the upcoming matches!
Pavel Koubek: Thank you very much! We’ll be ready to fight for a win.
