AC Sparta Praha and Riga FC meet in the UEFA Conference League play-off round with a group stage place on the line. The first leg will be played on 21 August at Stadion Letná, with the return a week later at Skonto Stadium in Riga.
This tie pits one of Central Europe’s most powerful squads against Latvia’s runner-ups, who are chasing their first breakthrough in Europe.
Sparta Praha: champions seeking redemption
Sparta come into this fixture both as back-to-back Czech champions and one of the dominant forces in the Chance Liga but also recovering from an overall poor 2024 season, where they finished 4th, 18 points behind table leaders. After years of turbulence, the club has regained stability under Danish coach Brian Priske, now back for his second term at the helm, whose tenure has been marked by sharper organisation, improved motivation in the dressing room, and the ability to consistently control games.
Sparta’s tactical model is straightforward yet effective: a back three that provides security, wing-backs who push high to stretch the pitch, and a midfield core that values calmness on the ball. They regularly dominate possession, often holding 65–70% at home, and look to accelerate into attack once an opponent makes a mistake.
This identity makes them difficult to disrupt, especially at Letná, where they can rely on an intimidating home crowd.
Sparta’s key players
Several individuals stand out in Sparta’s squad.
- Albion Rrahmani – The Kosovar striker has quickly become a talisman, combining movement, strength and finishing. He has been described as one of the club’s most complete forwards in recent memory.
- Jan Kuchta – A workhorse striker with European experience, capable of pressing aggressively and linking with Rrahmani.
- Kaan Kairinen – The Finnish midfielder dictates rhythm, recycling possession and releasing Sparta’s wide players.
- Lukáš Haraslín and Veljko Birmančević – Both wingers are goal threats, cutting inside and driving at defenders.
- Pavel Kadeřábek and Ángelo Preciado – Options at wing-back, mixing experience and pace.
With this combination, Sparta are able to attack from multiple angles and sustain pressure for long stretches. For Riga, containing the flanks and denying Rrahmani service will be vital.
Riga FC: structure and discipline
Riga approach this tie as underdogs but also as a team with clear purpose. The Virslīga leaders have handled a demanding European summer campaign with resilience and arrive in Prague determined to frustrate Sparta and keep the tie alive into the return leg.
Coach Adrián Guľa has given the side a strong tactical identity built on compact defensive shape and discipline in transitions. His players are drilled to close spaces between the lines, stay organised against possession-heavy opponents, and then break forward quickly when opportunities arise.
Guľa’s Czech background
One of the subplots to this tie is Guľa’s familiarity with Czech football. The Slovak coach previously worked at Viktoria Plzeň, one of Sparta’s biggest rivals. His experience in the Czech league gives him valuable insight into Sparta’s mentality, their style of play, and the pressure that surrounds their European fixtures.
That knowledge could prove crucial in setting Riga up to compete at Letná, even if Sparta’s individual quality is higher.
Riga’s approach
Riga’s collective structure is their greatest strength, but several individuals will have an important role. Latvian internationals provide the spine of the team, balancing physical presence with experience. In attack, Riga will rely on quick forwards and set-piece specialists to exploit rare openings. In Europe this season, their ability to stay compact and then strike in transition has been the difference.
The challenge will be maintaining intensity for 90 minutes against a Sparta side that can rotate freely and bring dangerous players off the bench.
Tactical expectations
The first leg is expected to be one of dominance versus resistance. Sparta will look to control tempo, push Riga back, and bombard them with waves of attacks from wide areas. Riga will aim to frustrate, break the rhythm, and hit on the counter.
For Riga, the opening 30 minutes in Prague will be critical. If they can withstand early pressure, confidence may grow and the tie could remain open heading into the second half. For Sparta, the task is to make their superiority count early and prevent Riga from taking hope into the second leg.
The stakes
For Sparta, reaching the Conference League group stage is non-negotiable. With their resources, reputation and recent domestic success, anything less would be considered a failure.
For Riga, it represents an opportunity to raise the profile of Latvian club football and test themselves against one of Central Europe’s elite. Advancing to the group stage would further consolidate Latvia’s presence in Europe after RFS made Conference League history in 2022 and repeated Latvian Europa League achievement last year.
Outlook
Sparta’s depth, attacking variety and Letná advantage make them favourites. But Riga, under Guľa’s guidance and with a disciplined game plan, are capable of making the contest uncomfortable. A close result in Prague would set up a dramatic return in Riga, where the home crowd could give Latvia’s champions the belief to push for an upset.
First leg: 21 August, Stadion Letná, Prague
Second leg: 28 August, Skonto Stadium, Riga
