Riga FC head coach Adrian Guľa struck a determined note after his side’s 2–0 defeat to Sparta Praha in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off round, insisting that the tie remains alive ahead of next week’s return match in Latvia.
Guľa admitted that his team struggled in the early stages in Prague, conceding through a Jan Kuchta header after 22 minutes. “It was a good game, a very hard game for us of course, but after the first 25 minutes we adapted a little bit, not just to the intensity but to the whole environment,” he said. “We conceded an easy goal from a set piece, but then we started to keep the ball better.”
The Slovak coach highlighted improvements after half-time, particularly in pressing and build-up play. “In the second half we changed the pressing, we changed the build-up and we blocked them much better,” Guľa explained. “But in the last third, the final pass, the last shot, it was not the killer instinct we need against this kind of opponent.”
The decisive blow came in stoppage time, when Albion Rrahmani doubled Sparta’s advantage. Guľa admitted the late goal changed the complexion of the tie: “One-zero is a totally different card. Two-zero against a strong opponent is harder, but everything can happen at home. We saw last game against Betar, at home we were one level better.”
Pressed on tactical choices in the closing stages, Guľa said he opted to preserve balance rather than gamble. “It’s not like we will wait for one-zero and be satisfied, no, we tried to wait for the moment,” he noted. “But this moment came on Sparta’s side. Of course we are sad, but we will fight at home.”
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s second leg in Riga, the coach remained upbeat about his side’s prospects. “We are strong at home and we will give maximum for a miracle. It’s a very strong opponent, a big brand, but I hope in our stadium, with our fans, everything can happen.”
Riga must overturn a two-goal deficit to reach the Conference League group stage for the first time in club history.
