Viktoria Plzen Turn the Tables on Servette in Champions League Thriller
So here’s what’s been happening in the Champions League qualifiers—it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster between Servette and Viktoria Plzen. Coming into the second leg, Servette were holding a slim 1–0 advantage from the first match in Czechia, and many thought they had the upper hand. But Plzen? They weren’t ready to bow out.
Despite losing the first leg, Plzen had actually been the more dominant side. In fact, the stats from that game told a completely different story: they racked up over 20 shots, created six big chances, and generated an xG—expected goals—of around 2.00, while Servette barely scratched 0.35. So really, it was just one of those nights where the ball wouldn’t go in. Servette scored with basically their only real chance, and somehow managed to hang on.
Also Read:Fast forward to the second leg in Geneva, and Plzen made sure this time the result reflected the performance. The Czech side stormed back with a commanding 3–1 away win, completely flipping the tie on its head. It was the kind of clinical, high-energy response their manager Miroslav Koubek would’ve been demanding after a disappointing home loss and a last-minute draw in their domestic league over the weekend.
What’s especially interesting is how both teams approached this one. Servette came into the tie knowing that even a draw would be enough, but they didn’t just sit back—they tried to play. And they had their moments. Samuel Mraz, their new striker who recently arrived from Poland, had already opened his account in the first leg and remained a threat. Miroslav Stevanovic, the long-time fan favorite at Servette, was pulling the strings as usual, but it wasn’t enough.
Plzen, though, looked sharper. Their midfield clicked, Tomas Ladra showed his quality again, and forwards like Sulc and Durosinmi posed constant problems. With this win, Plzen not only turned the tie around but also reminded everyone why they’ve been regulars in European competition over the past few seasons.
Servette will be gutted to go out, especially after thinking they were in control, but Plzen’s superior quality and experience in big matches really showed. Now, the Czech side move on with momentum and belief, looking ahead to the next round—likely against Rangers or Panathinaikos. After this performance, you wouldn’t bet against them making the group stage again.
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