Hard-fought 0-0 draw in Prague

The quarter-final first leg between Sparta Prague and Austria Wien ended in a 0-0 draw. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Czech side dominated proceedings for long periods, but the Violets put in a disciplined defensive performance, kept a clean sheet and showed plenty of courage, especially in the second half. This means that everything remains to play for ahead of the return leg in Vienna.

Sparta got off to a more active start: the hosts earned their first corner in the 2nd minute, but the resulting header went wide of the goal. Prague continued to dominate the game. Lena Triendl had the first shot on goal for the Violets in the 9th minute, but it went too high, before Sparta continued to apply pressure. After a corner (12') and a dangerous shot in the 13th minute that grazed the crossbar, it became clear that the Austria defence had a difficult task ahead of them.

Jasmin Pal stands firm

In the 23rd minute, Sparta fired another shot wide of the goal. Although the Czech women had significantly more shots on goal, the Violets also found their way forward at times. After a corner in the 25th minute, Modesta Uka took a shot, Lotta Cordes extended it with a header, but the ball went wide. Shortly afterwards, goalkeeper Jasmin Pal had to intervene for the first time on the violet side (26'), but made a confident save.

As the game progressed, the action shifted almost exclusively to Austria's half. However, another corner (35') and a free kick either ended up with Pal or were cleared by Carina Wenninger with her head. Despite the pressure from the hosts, the score remained goalless at half-time.

Violets more courageous in the second half

After the break, Stefan Kenesei brought on Chiara Pucci for Kathi Schiechtl to inject some fresh energy (46'). And indeed, the Violets now played with more courage. Louise Schöffel and Tatjana Weiss created chances in the 47th minute, although neither shot found the back of the net. Sparta remained dangerous from set pieces, such as a corner in the 50th minute that Cordes cleared.

Substitutions bring fresh impetus

Austria were much more active in the second half. However, a well-taken free kick from Pucci (63') was saved by the Prague goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Dominiká Škorvánková came on for Courtney Strode and, together with Schöffel, created some dangerous moments in attack. In the 72nd minute, Škorvánková shot after good work from Schöffel, but the ball was deflected and rolled just wide of the goal. Further substitutions – Almedina Šišić for Uka and Sara Pavlovic for Tatjana Weiss (74') as well as Stefanie Schneeberger for Lena Triendl (89') – were intended to bring fresh momentum.

The Violets remained focused defensively, with Wenninger clearing a corner with her head in the 85th minute. In the closing stages, Šišić tried her luck in the 87th minute after a Kirchberger free kick and again in stoppage time with a set piece (90'+3), but the decisive goal did not come.

Everything to play for in the second leg

So it remained 0-0. While Sparta dominated the game, especially in the first half, the Violets were much more active after the break and delivered a confident performance overall. Thanks to strong defensive work and a confident goalkeeper Pal, everything is now set for the second leg in Vienna on 18 February (7:30 p.m.) – all chances of reaching the semi-finals remain open. Tickets are already available at fak.at/tickets or in the fan shop.

Sparta Prag – Austria Wien 0-0

Austria: Pal – Wenninger, Schiechtl (Pucci 46.), Kirchberger - Schöffel, Weiss (Pavlović 74.), Cordes, Weilharter - Uka (Šišić 74.), Strode (Škorvánková 63.) Triendl (Schneeberger 89.)

epet Arena, 4879 fans, referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo