The people of Prague did not win in the “millionaire” competition for the fifth time in a row and lost the last four games in it with a score of 2:17. In the common table of 36 teams, they still have four points, 24 teams will go on. In order for Letenští to keep their hopes of progressing, they would have to beat defending Italian champions Inter Milan and reigning German champions Leverkusen in their last two games. Both matches will be played in the second half of January.
The match was spicy for Feyenoord’s defender Hanck and Danish coach Priske, who headed to the current engagement from Sparta. After his departure in June, Priske was replaced on the bench by his assistant and compatriot Lars Friis.
Feyenoord has improved to 10 points and is close to the premier participation in the next stage of the competition. In this season, the LM won at home for the first time on the third attempt, before losing there to Leverkusen 0:4 and Salzburg 1:3.
Back Cobbaut returned to Sparta’s starting line-up after injury, and Solbakken also played from the beginning. On the contrary, stopper Panák started on the bench and was replaced in the role of captain by fellow defenseman Sörensen. In the last LM round, Sparta suffered a record 0:6 debacle against Atlético Madrid.
The visitors started actively, after less than two minutes Kairinen’s shot from a distance was deflected by goalkeeper Wellenreuther for a corner. A moment later, Birmančević found himself in a promising opportunity in the box, but he did not aim ideally.
Between the eighth and tenth minutes, disaster struck for the people of Prague. First, Rrahmani deflected the ball after the home side’s corner kick only to Trauner, whose header Vitík knocked into the countermovement of goalkeeper Vindahl. In the next 90 seconds, Kairinen lost the ball in his own half, and Paixao added Feyenoord’s second strike with a good shot to the post.
In the 16th minute, after Sadílka’s long drive, the ball slipped through the hands of the author of the first goal, but the referee did not whistle the penalty despite the Spartans’ protests. On the opposite side, Milambo fired from the center from the first and Vindahl blocked his shot. The same Feyenoord player then finished from behind the penalty area in the 25th minute. After half an hour of play, Músa guided the ball to the left and beat Vindahl with an exhibition finish to the post.
At the end of the opening act, the guests reduced. Sadílka’s goal was extended by Sörensen’s header, followed by one of the home players on Rrahmani, who scored the sixth competitive goal of the season in the fall.
After the change of sides, Sadílk’s attempt from beyond the box was deflected by Wellenreuther. After an hour of play, Vindahl kicked away Giménez’s shot from an angle. Hopes for more drama were dashed in the 63rd minute. Sadílek slipped while trying to deflect Moussa’s cross and Vitík failed to prevent Giménez from turning.
On the other hand, Birmančević’s goal was disallowed due to offside. In the 79th minute, Ryneš’s cross was knocked into his own net by substitute Beelen. In the set-up, the home team created more opportunities, but the result did not change. Sparta lost for the first time in their fifth mutual cup match against Feyenoord.
“We started well, we had a couple of chances, a shot on goal, before Feyenoord got into the game. Then we conceded two quick goals. When you’re playing in the Champions League, it’s very difficult to get back into the game. It made it a lot more difficult for us,” he said Spartan coach Lars Friis.
His counterpart Brian Priske praised his players. “We got to ten points in the Champions League before Christmas, which is not easy. I can’t praise the boys enough. They made my life a little bit better today.”
