Slovan Liberec vs Slovácko 0-2

Slovácko left Stadion U Nisy with a 2-0 win, built on M. Havlik’s opener in the 14th minute and sealed by P. Juroska late on after Slovan Liberec were reduced to ten men.

The visitors struck first when D. Puskac set up Havlik in the 14th minute to make it 1-0. That remained the score at half-time, with Slovácko also collecting bookings for A. Stojcevski on 26 minutes and J. Behiratche on 39.

Slovan Liberec made a change at the break, sending on M. Mikulenka for L. Masopust, then Slovácko were dealt a blow on 60 minutes when D. Puskac was shown a red card. Liberec made two changes on 65 minutes, with A. Basiladze replacing A. Buzek and J. Ashuku coming on for J. Kozeluh, but they could not find a way through. Slovácko used P. Juroska from 68 minutes, and he settled it in the 88th minute with help from M. Heca to make it 2-0. Slovácko also made two changes on 81 minutes, with G. Sosseh for T. Kostadinov and T. Kral for G. Ndefe, before Kostadinov was booked on 90 minutes.

The numbers pointed to a one-sided match in territory and volume. Slovan Liberec had 67% possession, 492 passes to Slovácko’s 265, and 22 shots to 2, with 8 corners to none and 1.66 expected goals to 0.85, yet they only forced 2 saves from Slovácko’s goalkeeper while Slovácko recorded 4 saves at the other end. Slovan Liberec also had 5 shots on target to Slovácko’s 2 and committed 16 fouls to 12.

Discipline brought three Slovácko bookings before the red card, with Stojcevski on 26 minutes, Behiratche on 39 and Kostadinov on 90, while Slovan Liberec’s only yellow went to L. Masek on 62 minutes. D. Puskac’s sending-off on 60 minutes was the game’s only dismissal.