2024-03-15 22:42:31
The footballers of Pilsen are very satisfied with the fact that today’s draw for the quarter-finals of the European Conference League awarded them to Fiorentina. They consider last year’s finalist to be an attractive opponent for the fans and at the same time believe that they can surprise the favourites. The West Bohemians are also looking forward to the duel with the Czech “Violet” midfielder Antonín Barák.
“We are expecting an experienced team that regularly moves on the European forum. Every year, Fiorentina attacks the cup rungs in the Italian Serie A, which is among the top five leagues in Europe. We know who is currently the favorite and who will enter the doubleheader in this position. I think it’s an attractive draw for the fans. In terms of chances, we certainly have something to fight for,” Viktoria’s assistant coach Marek Bakoš told the club’s television.
“There were seven options, in the end it came down to the Italian team, which is excellent for the fans. It’s not far, it’s an available opponent. I believe that people will come to support us not only in the home match, but also in the away game, and we will feel the Pilsen fans at the visiting stadium,” added the former Slovak forward.
The lottery also made the players happy. “There were many beautiful possible opponents in fate. Italy, for me, beautiful. The whole cabin, the whole city can look forward to it. So great,” boasted striker Tomáš Chorý.
“I wanted Club Brugge, which unfortunately didn’t work out. But the opponent is big, attractive, so great. I’m looking forward to it. It will be a very difficult double match, but I believe it can turn out well for us,” declared the top scorer of the league season, Pavel Šulc .
The Fiorentina jersey is worn by midfielder Barák, who will return to the national team in the upcoming March preparatory matches under the new coach of the Czech national team, Ivan Hašek. “I probably won’t poke him at the meeting, but we’ll definitely have fun together. Of course, I’m looking forward to the fight,” said Chorý. “I’ve never played with him before, so we’ll see,” added Šulc, a rookie in the national team, with a smile.
The West Bohemians will start the doubleheader on April 11 at home. “For me, it’s probably better to start away. When they draw something for us, I always say to myself that the first one is better for me away and then to finish it in the home stadium, as we were able to do with Servette Geneva. Now it will be the other way around. So we’ll gain a lead at home and confirm it outside,” said Chorý.
The West Bohemians, who will play the quarter-finals in the cups for the first time, have already met Italian opponents in UEFA competitions. The last time they faced Inter Milan was in the Champions League group stage last year, with whom they lost 0:2 at home and 0:4 away. They also faced AS Roma twice, AC Milan once and in 2013 they unexpectedly went past Napoli in the knockout stages of the Europa League after winning 3-0 at home and 2-0 at home.
“As a player, I experienced some battles with Italian teams. We got a point against AC Milan, we knocked out Napoli, we played AS Roma. As a club, we have some experience in Italian football and we will see how we can use it on the pitch. Every double match is a bit different, but some experience is definitely useful,” Bakoš said.