The most sensational defeat so far in the new Champions League
Georgy Ilyushchenko September 18, 2024, 22:05 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Sparta, what have you done? After all, I haven’t played in the Champions League for 19 years.
Salzburg are experienced European Cup contenders: they are playing on the Champions League’s main stage for the sixth time in a row, and not long ago, in the 2021/2022 season, they made it to the playoffs from a group with Sevilla, Lille and Wolfsburg.
The same cannot be said of Sparta Prague, who already qualified for the Champions League in 2005. Last season they reached the last 16 of the Europa League, but were eliminated by Liverpool with a score of 2:11.
The pre-match plans seemed obvious. Even if we consider not only the experience, but also the cost of the squads: 169.5 million euros for the Austrians versus 71.65 euros for the Czechs. The result was truly devastating. But only in favour of the latter. Salzburg completely dissolved and played only 0.54 xG, while Sparta played 1.94. And in the end it was the Prague team that relaxed.
Sparta players rejoice after scoring a goal against their opponents
Photo: Sebastián Frej/Getty Images
Kairinen scored in the second minute, waiting for Blasvich to save Garaslin’s shot: the Czech club immediately signalled their serious intentions. The visitors then equalised, but the referee called an obvious offside. Dedich could have scored, but missed from an advantageous position. But Olatunji was precise. Just like Lyachi in the 58th minute, when he put three opponents on the ground at once and got into the empty net. The goal was simply mocking.
The favourites had the ball 71% of the time. But what’s the point? Even Liverpool’s track record didn’t help: loanee Bajcetic, purchased Bobby Clarke and Klopp’s former assistant Lijnders. If the hosts have a three-goal lead on the scoreboard, then the game will be even more advantageous. Even after the 80th minute, it seemed that the home side had a better chance of scoring a fourth goal than the guests – a prestigious goal.
Pepijn Lijnders, Salzburg coach
Photo: Sebastián Frej/Getty Images
Of course, the guests have no chance of making it to the playoffs. But there are much fewer of them. Ahead of them (at the start) are relatively equal opponents: French Brest, Dynamo Zagreb, Feyenoord… But then there is the horror: Bayern, PSG, Real Madrid and Atletico. As for Sparta, it is not easy either: Stuttgart, City, Brest, Atletico, Feyenoord, Inter and Bayern. It is difficult, very difficult. But that will come later. And today they will walk through the capital of the Czech Republic.
And now let’s see the main match of the night:
Live
Safonov made his debut for PSG in the Champions League! Can you get a “cookie”? LIVE
