Viktoria Plzeň and Red Star decide European tie at Doosan Arena
Viktoria Plzeň and Red Star meet in the second leg of the Europa League play-off at Doosan Arena, with the winner of the tie securing a place in the league phase of the competition. For both teams, this is a match that very early in the season determines the level at which they will spend their European autumn.
The first match is played in Belgrade on 20 August, so at the time of writing there is still no result that would determine the tactical scenario in Plzeň. What is certain is that the decision will be made at Viktoria's stadium, while the result of the first encounter will show whether one side has to chase a goal from the start or can manage the tempo more patiently.
Viktoria enter the tie after an unstable start to the domestic season, while Red Star changed their coach immediately before the encounter. The home side are looking for greater defensive security, while the visitors are trying to adopt Albert Riera's ideas in a short period of time.
Tickets for this match have been in demand among supporters, and the fact that these two clubs had not met in a competitive match before the current tie adds further significance.
What is at stake in the second leg
The winner of the tie advances to the league phase of the Europa League. The losing team continues its European season in the league phase of the Conference League, so the second leg in Plzeň determines a higher or lower level of European competition during the autumn.
For Viktoria, it is important that the decision is made on home soil. Because of its enclosed stands and proximity to the pitch, Doosan Arena creates a compact atmosphere in which the rhythm of the match can change quickly after pressure from the home team.
Red Star enter the tie after being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by Hapoel Beer-Sheva. In the previous round they were very convincing against Larne, whom they defeated 9:0 on aggregate, but then lost both matches against the Israeli representatives, 0:1 and 0:2. That contrast describes their European start well: the attacking potential is considerable, but against a more organised opponent problems appeared in creating clear chances.
Viktoria Plzeň: plenty of goals, but also too many open matches
The team coached by Martin Hyský collected five points in the first four rounds of the domestic championship. The results show how unpredictable their matches have been so far:
- Viktoria Plzeň - Slovan Liberec 1:3
- Viktoria Plzeň - Zbrojovka Brno 1:1
- Teplice - Viktoria Plzeň 5:5
- Viktoria Plzeň - Zlín 3:2
That is ten goals scored and eleven conceded in four league appearances. The attack has shown depth, but the defence has not yet found the stability that a European tie like this requires. The 5:5 draw in Teplice was a particular warning, as Viktoria built a large early lead, allowed their opponents to turn the match around and eventually fought back to earn a point.
The latest league victory against Zlín brought an important step forward. The starting line-up consisted of Florian Wiegele, Amar Memić, Sampson Dweh, Karel Spáčil, Merchas Doski, Patrik Hrošovský, Lukáš Červ, Cheick Souaré, Tomáš Ladra, Christophe Kabongo and Prince Adu. That line-up shows the basis of the system: two midfielders for balance, width on the flanks and players between the lines looking for space behind the opposition midfield.
Prince Adu offers a threat in behind, Christophe Kabongo can play closer to the striker, Tomáš Ladra creates chances from wide areas, while Patrik Hrošovský is important for tempo and set pieces. Lukáš Červ brings aggression in duels and pressure on second balls.
A change in the schedule is also important for the home side. The league match against Hradec Králové, which was supposed to be played between the two European matches, has been postponed. Viktoria therefore have no domestic league commitment between Belgrade and the second leg and get a full week for recovery, analysis and preparation.
Absences and depth of Viktoria's squad
Current player availability information lists Viktor Baier, Václav Jemelka and Jan Paluska among the injured. Jemelka is recovering after knee surgery, while Baier and Paluska were already undergoing individual return-to-fitness programmes during the summer preparations.
The greatest burden in the back line will therefore once again fall on the players who carried the team through the start of the season. For a side that conceded eleven goals in four league rounds, the key will not only be defending its own penalty area. Equally important will be how well Hrošovský and Červ close the space in front of the centre-backs and how quickly the wide players react after losing the ball.
Red Star are changing their style of play under Albert Riera
The biggest change at the Belgrade club took place on the bench. Albert Riera was appointed coach on 14 August and was immediately given the task of preparing the team for the Europa League play-off. The first match against Viktoria comes after only a few training sessions under the new management, while the second leg in Plzeň will be only the second European match for his new team.
Ahead of the first tie, Riera clearly described the idea he wants: after losing the ball, the team should not retreat but move forward, quickly regain possession and then control the match through the ball. If Red Star press high, Viktoria will have to play out well from the first line and avoid losing possession in midfield, but at the same time they may find space behind the visiting full-backs.
Red Star opened their domestic season with three victories in their first three matches played. Their European campaign has been considerably more uneven:
- against Larne they recorded two victories and a 9:0 aggregate score
- against Hapoel Beer-Sheva they lost the first match 0:1
- in the second leg in Belgrade they lost 0:2
- after the elimination, Albert Riera took charge of the team
In the matches before the coaching change, Osman Bukari, Rade Krunić, Timi Elšnik, Vasilije Kostov, Aleksandar Katai, Marko Arnautović and Bruno Duarte played important roles. Katai, Arnautović and Bukari stood out in particular against Larne, while Red Star failed to score against Hapoel.
Mohamed Abu Fani received a red card late in the second leg against Hapoel and cannot play in the first match against Viktoria in Belgrade due to suspension. His status for the second leg should be checked after the first match, so it would not be justified to list him in advance as unavailable for Plzeň.
Where the match could be decided
Viktoria's first task is to reduce the number of open transitions. In league matches they often managed to reach the final third with enough players, but after losing the ball they tended to leave too much space. Against opponents with players such as Bukari, Katai or Arnautović, such moments can be costly.
The second key is playing out of pressure. Albert Riera's announcement of aggressive counter-pressing means that Wiegele, the centre-backs and the two central midfielders will have important roles in the first phase of the attack. If the home side bypass the first wave of pressure, they can create situations for Memić, Souaré, Ladra or Adu in larger spaces.
Red Star, on the other hand, must show that they can implement the new style without losing balance. High pressing requires precise distances between the lines. If one part of the team pushes forward while another remains deeper, Hrošovský and Červ can find a vertical pass into the space between the lines.
The result of the first match will completely change the calculations. If one team arrives in Plzeň with a lead, the other will sooner or later have to increase the risk. If the result from Belgrade leaves the tie open, the value of the first goal in the second leg will be even greater.
Doosan Arena: a compact stadium for a high-stakes match
Doosan Arena is located in Štruncovy sady and has 11,700 seats. The stadium opened in 1955, and the most recent major phase of reconstruction was completed in 2016. The removal of the former athletics track and bringing the stands closer to the pitch created a more enclosed football atmosphere.
Sections U12 and U13 in the south-eastern corner are allocated to away supporters, with a total capacity of 627 places. For this match, the club has announced enhanced security checks and strict rules for entry into the home sections. Visitors should carefully check the conditions that apply to their section and arrive earlier than for an ordinary league match.
Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly, and because of the additional checks it is worth planning arrival so that security procedures do not become a reason for missing the start.
How to get to the stadium and what to plan before entering
Doosan Arena is located close to the centre of Plzeň, so walking is the simplest option for a large number of visitors. The club states that the stadium can be reached from the main railway station in approximately ten minutes on foot. The Anglické nábřeží stop is also nearby, served by trams 1 and 2 and trolleybus 13.
Visitors arriving by car should take into account that parking spaces immediately next to the stadium are limited and that some of the area is used by the club and its partners on match day. Rychtářka is one of the usual options, but capacity is not large and, for a match with heightened security risk, it is not reasonable to assume that a space will be available without checking the current arrangements.
- the stadium address is Štruncovy sady 3, Plzeň
- the main railway station is approximately a ten-minute walk away
- trams 1 and 2 and trolleybus 13 stop at Anglické nábřeží
- bus 28 stops at Na Rychtářce near the stadium
- according to the club's regular information, entrances open 90 minutes before kick-off
Because the match has been designated high-risk, the club has announced additional identity checks and restrictions for home sections. This is particularly important for travellers who do not live in Czechia and for Red Star supporters: they should not assume that a ticket for a home section in itself guarantees entry. The rules for the section should be checked before arrival.
Plzeň as a base for a supporters' day
The stadium, the main railway station and the historic city centre are close enough to one another that a large part of the day can be organised on foot. This is practical for visitors arriving by train who do not want to search for parking in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.
The simplest plan for arriving several hours early is to remain in the central area and then head towards Štruncovy sady with enough time to spare. The regular entrance-opening time is 90 minutes before kick-off, and for this match the club has specifically requested earlier arrival to reduce congestion.
What to expect in the stands and on the pitch
Doosan Arena does not have the capacity of Europe's largest stadiums, but that is precisely why the sound from the stands is concentrated in a small space. The home supporters will have a match in which their team's European status for the autumn is decided, while the away section will bring loud support for Red Star.
Emotional control will be equally important on the pitch. Viktoria played several matches with major swings at the beginning of the season, while Red Star enter the tie with a new coach and a clear demand for more aggressive forward pressure. If the match gets an early goal, the tempo can quickly open up. If it remains level for a long time, set pieces, second balls and a single mistake while playing out of the press may become decisive.
It is worth securing tickets in good time and arriving early. The final tactical picture of this second leg will only be known after the first match in Belgrade, and the final decision will be made in Plzeň.
Sources:
- FC Viktoria Plzeň - play-off schedule, reports from league matches against Slovan Liberec, Zbrojovka Brno, Teplice and Zlín, postponement of the match against Hradec Králové, team line-up and information about Doosan Arena, transport, entrance opening times and security rules.
- FK Crvena zvezda - European results against Larne and Hapoel Beer-Sheva, current domestic form, the fact that there had been no previous competitive meetings before this tie, and the appointment and statements of coach Albert Riera.
- FotMob - current injury information for Viktor Baier, Václav Jemelka and Jan Paluska.
- ČT sport - information about Václav Jemelka's knee surgery.
- EuroFotbal - context of the final qualifying round, the significance of the tie and a review of form ahead of the first match.