Vrba refuses to take Plzeň berth for granted

Viktor Goncharenko, BATE coach
Comparing this match to the [1-1 matchday two draw] in Prague, we had injury problems back then but we were in better physical shape. Obviously we're disappointed because we look to have failed to fulfil our minimum aim of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. But this is football: anything can happen. We all understand that we have to beat Barcelona on their ground: Is it worth making bold claims that we will travel to Barcelona for victory? We have to be realistic.

What concerns me the most is that we are following in our own footsteps of last year when we suffered a number of consecutive defeats at the end of the season. I am disappointed by our results and by the fact we lack reserves to reinforce our game with substitutions. Every game is a unique experience and I want to believe we would no be falling into the same trap again. We were uncomfortable in coping with such fast attacks as Viktoria offered us. We had to control the ball and the explode suddenly but that did not happen.

Pavel Vrba, Plzeň coach
We controlled the game well. We deserved the victory and I hope we will play in the UEFA Europa League in the new year. The opening minutes showed our intent to play offensive football and we created two chances very early. The home goalkeeper kept them out but finally we scored at the end of the first half.

We had to do some defending, mostly after the restart, but we had another two clear opportunities, in particular Daniel Kolář, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The whole side now has much more experience than we had in our first Champions League game and I am glad the national side will also profit from that.