Prestige pushes on Slavia's Krajčík

SK Slavia Praha midfielder Matej Krajčík told uefa.com that motivation will not be in short supply when Sevilla FC visit the Czech capital on Wednesday in search of the victory that will secure them top spot in Group H.

'Prepared'
Slavia are already assured of finishing third in the section to qualify for the UEFA Cup, but Krajčík insists there will be no let-up. "We are 100 per cent prepared for this match," the 29-year-old said. "It is our last game in the UEFA Champions League so there's no problem with motivation. We only play six matches, and we all want to get a good result as well as the prestige, the reputation and the money that go hand-in-hand with that."

Defence key
After the euphoria of their 2-1 opening-night win against FC Steaua Bucureşti, Slavia were given an introduction to the unforgiving nature of Europe's élite club competition when Sevilla swept to a 4-2 victory in Spain on Matchday 2. Krajčík, however, says Slavia's miserly defence, which has conceded just nine goals in 16 Czech 1. Liga matches this season, can keep the UEFA Cup holders at bay at the Evžena Rošického Stadium.

'Suicidal mistakes'
"Their attacking potential is huge, but if we don't make the same suicidal mistakes that were our downfall in Seville, we have a really good chance of getting something," said the Slovakian international. "It is enough to win 1-0. We've won several important matches in the league like that. We try to keep a clean sheet and we always create some chances. Up to now, it's been successful and I think the coach will prepare something similar for Wednesday."

Qualified success
Whatever the outcome, Slavia have already spoiled many pundits' predictions that they would end Matchday 6 rooted to the bottom of a competitive group. Zdeněk Šenkeřík's late leveller in Bucharest on Matchday 5 guaranteed that they would upset the odds by claiming third place, and Krajčík believes Karel Jarolím's men can be proud of their first foray into the UEFA Champions League.

'Satisfactory'
"It's definitely been a success for us. Everyone thought we would finish bottom, but we've done much better," said Krajčík, who has appeared in every match of their campaign. "With fewer mistakes in defence, we could have taken more points, but I think we can be satisfied with what we have achieved in this group phase."