Turbulent times for Slovan Liberec

The Fortuna Liga has been up and running again since the start of November. The Czech top flight had been on hold for around one month due to the high coronavirus infection figures in the country. That means that a semblance of normality has returned to Slovan Liberec after what was a very turbulent period. Slovan have at times been without up to 15 players – all due to coronavirus infections – in the UEFA Europa League this term, which led to seven players making their professional debuts for the club in the 5-0 defeat to TSG Hoffenheim.

Given those circumstances, the meeting between the teams earlier this month was of little sporting significance. And yet despite the turbulence, the Czechs are still in with a chance of reaching the knockout stages. Coach Pavel Hoftych's charges have three points after beating KAA Gent in their opening game, which puts them three points behind Red Star Belgrade and six behind TSG. But if they are to realistically progress, they will most probably need to take all three points on Thursday. A defeat or a draw for Slovan Liberec would mean that they could no longer overtake TSG Hoffenheim, and the gap to Red Star may widen as well.

Their league form has been mixed since the restart. Despite further absences, they managed to pick up a 2-1 win at FK Teplice before a 3-1 derby defeat to FK Jablonec last weekend saw them slip down to seventh place in the table. Slovan, who finished in fifth place last term and reached the cup final, will be looking to return to winning ways now that they have a full squad again – ideally starting with a UEFA Europa League win against TSG Hoffenheim.

The personnel situation bodes well for the Czechs. Almost all the players who missed out on the Hoffenheim game due to the virus featured against Jablonec. It therefore seems likely that Thursday's Slovan will bear little resemblance to the side from three weeks ago. Coach Sebastian Hoeness and his charges have been warned.

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