That was a shame. Viktoria reached for a point with the favorite, but Manchester rejoiced

The Viktoria Plzeň – Manchester United football European League match started with a choreo in which the entire stadium was involved. | Video: Diary/Kamil Kacerovský

A march of fans through the city, which was illuminated in the blue-red colors of Viktoria Plzeň, as well as a fire show before kick-off. An exceptional match deserves a special event, one of the most famous clubs in the world, Manchester United, has arrived in the west of Bohemia. Although he was losing, he eventually made it 2:1.

“We are disappointed, we regret it, we were close to extending our streak,” Pilsen coach Miroslav Koubek recalled that his team had not lost 25 matches in a row in European cups. Before that, he lost in November 2022 in the Champions League to the famous Barcelona (2:4), until now another world club, Manchester United, has matured for the Victorians.

It was a big football holiday in Pilsen, and the Doosan Arena in Pilsen was watched to the last seat by the packed corridors. Despite the defeat, the spectators left satisfied, as did the coach. “I play for the team, it was a beautiful match, we tormented the opponent. I think we deserved that point,” added Viktoria’s coach.

He called United’s equalizer the key moment of the match. “The technical quality of the opponent’s players showed. Colleague Amorim played great quality there from the bench, he has world-class players there. We have confirmed that we can keep up with such teams. Such a defeat will not hurt us, on the contrary, it will make us stronger,” added Miroslav Koubek.

In the goalless first half, a more serious shot from the guests from England came only after half an hour of play, the attempt by captain Bruno Fernandes from behind the penalty area was blocked by goalkeeper Jedliček. But even the Pilsen footballers had promising moments, but they did not get to the dangerous end. Oydra’s attempt in the set time could not threaten the goalkeeper Onana.

And that was joy when, three minutes after the break, Šulc caught the pass of the goalkeeper Onana and moved the ball to Vydra, who fearlessly opened the score – 1:0. In the highest English competition, the Pilsen forward played over a hundred matches, but against United it was always just an episodic bark. He only got a bigger portion against the famous club from Manchester in the Viktoria jersey and immediately flashed a goal.

Manchester then tried to revive the game with a substitution and two new players signed for the equalizer, Antony splashed on the left side of the Pilsen defense and Hojlund put his shot into the net – 1:1.

United’s pressure then increased, in the 77th minute goalkeeper Jedliček caught Mount’s puck. But three minutes before the end, after a Hojlund shot, he capitulated – 1:2. Pilsen had no way to turn around.

Even so, Viktoria Plzeň fans called out the name of coach Miroslav Koubek and club boss Adolf Šádek after the match. It was for what, after all, their beloved club previously lost in the European Cups for the last time in November 2022 against Barcelona and they really tormented another big club, Manchester United, on Thursday.