Slovan Bratislava Gears Up for a Packed January Schedule
The reigning Slovakian champions, Slovan Bratislava, are facing a demanding start to 2025. With two crucial Champions League group stage matches looming in January, the team will kick off their winter preparations this Saturday, leaving them with just 17 days to prepare for their home clash against German side VfB Stuttgart on January 21st at Tehelné pole.
Head coach Vladimír Weiss has planned a training camp in Qatar’s Aspire complex from January 6th, where the team will also face Al Gharafa SC in a friendly match on January 16th. This Qatari club holds a special significance for Weiss, as it was his last coaching post before joining Slovan Bratislava in February 2018. Al gharafa boasts notable players like former Real Madrid striker Joselu and rodrigo, a product of the famed “white ballet” youth academy.
The month culminates with another Champions League encounter, this time against Bavarian giants Bayern Munich on January 29th. Before the Slovakian league resumes on February 9th with a trip to MFK Ružomberok,Slovan will also need to navigate the Slovak Cup quarter-final against AS Trenčín,with the date yet to be confirmed.
“Our Champions League fixtures begin much earlier than other teams in our league,” stated Slovan’s fitness coach Roman Švantner in an interview on the club’s website. “The key will be to condense the preparation period and adjust the volume and intensity to ensure the players are fresh and ready for the Champions League. We have a precise plan for this winter, focusing on a balanced approach that avoids both undertraining and overexertion, ultimately aiming for optimal results.”
Slovan Bratislava’s January 2025 Schedule:
January 4th-5th: Physical testing for the first team and commencement of winter training.
January 6th-17th: Training camp in Qatar (Aspire complex).
January 16th: Al Gharafa SC vs.ŠK slovan (friendly match in Qatar).
January 21st, 9:00 PM: ŠK Slovan vs. VfB Stuttgart (7th round of the Champions League group stage).
January 29th, 9:00 PM: Bayern Munich vs. ŠK Slovan (8th round of the Champions League group stage).
February 9th, 3:30 PM: MFK Ružomberok vs. ŠK Slovan (19th round of the Niké liga).
Slovakian Champions Face Uphill Battle in Packed January: A Chat with Former Star Peter Dubovský
Welcome back to The Corner Kick, everyone! January is shaping up to be a make-or-break month for Slovan Bratislava, and who better to discuss it with than former Slovakian international and Slovan legend, Peter Dubovský. Peter, thanks for joining us!
Peter: Thanks for having me. Always good to talk slovan!
Let’s get right into it. You won league titles with Slovan, Peter, so you know how demanding january can be.this year is looking especially packed with Champions league clashes against Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, plus a domestic cup quarter-final.How do you feel about this schedule?
peter: It’s a real gauntlet, there’s no doubt whatsoever about it.Vladimír Weiss has his work cut out for him, getting the team prepared physically and mentally for such tough competition so early in the year. That said, these are the games the players dream of. Playing against sides like Bayern and Stuttgart is an incredible opportunity for this squad to learn and grow.
Roman Švantner,slovan’s fitness coach,mentioned a “condensed” planning period. Is there a risk of overexertion or burnout with such a tight schedule?
Peter: Absolutely, that’s the biggest concern. This isn’t pre-season where you have weeks to build stamina. These are high-intensity fixtures coming thick and fast.The key will be smart training, meticulous recovery, and utilizing the whole squad. Weiss needs to rotate players wisely to keep everyone fresh and injury-free.
The Qatar training camp sounds intriguing, especially with the friendly against Al Gharafa. What do you think of that decision?
Peter: I like it. A change of scenery can work wonders for team morale. Plus, playing against a side like Al Gharafa, with their experience and quality players like Joselu and Rodrigo, will be a great test before these crucial Champions League matchups.
Looking ahead to the Champions League games, what are your expectations for Slovan against Stuttgart and Bayern?
Peter: Stuttgart will be tough, they’re a well-organized side. A positive result at home is essential. As for Bayern, well, that’s a whole different level. You can’t expect miracles, but you know Slovan will give it everything they’ve got. Maybe snatch a point, if they play tactically smart and take their chances.
Peter, what do you think are the keys to slovan navigating this challenging January and setting themselves up for a prosperous remainder of the season?
Peter: Unity, focus, and belief. This team needs to be a unit, working together, supporting each other. They need to stay focused on each game, one at a time, and truly believe anything is possible. I know these boys are capable of great things. They just need to find that next level.
Thanks for your time and insights, Peter. What are your thoughts, readers? Can Slovan handle the pressure of this crucial January? Leave your comments below!
