Jablonec faces a challenging test today as they host Slavia Prague in a Czech Cup quarterfinal match, a crucial stepping stone for Slavia in their pursuit of a league and cup double. The encounter comes just before a highly anticipated Prague derby for Slavia, adding extra weight to the fixture. This marks the first time the two teams have met in the domestic cup since May 2018, when Slavia secured a 3-1 victory in the final, marking Jindřich Trpišovský’s first major trophy as a coach.
Trpišovský has since added seven more trophies to his collection – four Czech First League titles and three Czech Cups – achieving the coveted double twice. Maintaining a chance at repeating that success this season hinges on overcoming Jablonec on their home turf. The stakes are high, not only for Slavia’s ambitions but also for potential European qualification, as a domestic cup win by a team in the top four of the league standings would grant a European spot to the fifth-placed team, currently Liberec.
Jablonec Stung by League Defeat, Eyes Cup Redemption
Jablonec enters the match off the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Mladá Boleslav in the Czech First League. However, coach Luboš Kozel emphasizes the different nature of the cup competition. “But This represents a different competition, it’s a cup match. And we will try to fight for promotion. We certainly have something to make up for,” Kozel stated, according to reports. The match presents a clash between the league’s strongest defense – Slavia, having conceded just 18 goals – and the third-tightest, with Jablonec allowing 23.
Despite a 3-4 loss at Slavia’s Eden Arena in the autumn portion of the season, Jablonec has shown the ability to challenge Slavia on their own ground, securing a 3-2 victory last year and a 1-1 draw in the fall. Defender Martin Cedidla expressed confidence in their ability to trouble Slavia, stating, “We certainly have a chance to make life difficult for Slavia,” particularly after returning to the lineup following a recent injury sustained in Mladá Boleslav.
Alégué’s Suspension Adds to Jablonec’s Challenges
Jablonec will be without forward Alexis Alégué, who received a red card in Saturday’s match against Mladá Boleslav for an incident involving a headbutt to Daniel Langhamer after the final whistle. “He will be punished by the disciplinary committee and by us,” Kozel confirmed. Jablonec reached the quarterfinal stage by defeating Admira Praha (3-0), Hlinsko (2-0), and Dukla Praha (2-1).
Slavia, meanwhile, prepared for the cup tie with a 2-0 victory over Dukla Praha on Friday. “The first half was very good from our side, we could have led by more than 2-0. We eased off the gas a bit in the second half,” Trpišovský commented. This season, Slavia advanced through the MOL Cup with a 2-0 win against Brozany in the third round and a commanding 4-0 victory over Zlín in the round of 16.
A History of Success for Trpišovský
According to Wikipedia, Jindřich Trpišovský began his managerial career at the age of 20, coaching at Čechie Karlín’s youth teams while also working at the Esplanade Hotel in Prague. He has since held positions at several Czech clubs, including Horní Měcholupy, Viktoria Žižkov, and Slovan Liberec, before joining Slavia Prague in 2017.
Slavia’s last appearance in the MOL Cup’s final four was three years ago, while Jablonec has not reached that stage for an additional year. Today’s match will determine which team advances to the semifinals, with the potential for a fifth-place team to qualify for European competition if a team from the top four wins the cup.
The pursuit of a domestic double remains a realistic goal for Slavia Prague, and today’s cup quarterfinal against Jablonec represents a significant hurdle in achieving that ambition. The outcome will not only shape Slavia’s cup run but also have implications for European qualification opportunities for other Czech clubs.
Fans can follow updates on the match and further developments in the MOL Cup through official league channels and sports news outlets. The next confirmed step will be the announcement of the semifinal pairings following today’s quarterfinal matches.
What are your thoughts on Slavia’s chances in the cup? Share your predictions and comments below!
