Viktoria Plzeň have played one of the biggest matches in the clubs history. The team bravely resisted to Real Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu stadium and they finally lost 1-2. The only goal of Plzeň was scored by Patrik Hrošovský in the 79th minute.

3rd round, Tue 23rd Oct 2018, 21:00, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu stadium

Real Madrid: Navas – Lucas Vazquez, Ramos (C), Nacho, Marcelo – Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos – Bale (75. Asensio), Benzema (88. Mariano), Isco (54. Valverde).

Plzeň: Hruška – Řezník, Hejda, Hubník (C), Limberský – Procházka (65. Hořava), Hrošovský – Havel (76. Ekpai), Čermák, Petržela (86. Řezníček) – Krmenčík.

Goals: 11. Benzema, 56. Marcelo – 79. Hrošovský YC: Isco, Kroos, Ramos – Limberský, Referees: Grinfield – Shimon, Hassan (all Israeli).
Attendance: 67 356.

Sergio Ramos opened the match by a great opportunity after a corner taken by Toni Kroos as he headed the ball only to Hruška´s upright. In the 11th minute Viktorians appeared in a huge chance to attack! Milan Petržela got in behind Real´s defence but his shot was kicked off by Keylor Navas, the nimble midfielder shot a rebound only to side-netting. Real instantly reacted to the previous situation – Karim Benzema headed the ball behind the goal line and sent Real in lead.

White ballet seemed calmed down by the scored goal and in following minutes they kept combining patiently on Viktoria´s half of the pitch. About 30 minutes into the match Plzeň had another bright moment. Petržela passed the ball to Limberský who unfortunately could not shoot from a sharp angle. As well as at the first goal situation Madrid could punish Plzeň immediately from a counterattack! The first-goal scorer Karim Benzema lost his defender Milan Havel on the left side but Aleš Hruška was ready and blocked his shot.

Soon afterwards Viktoria´s goalkeeper failed. He offered an inaccurate pass to Isco, however, Spanish national team member didn´t lob over Hruška where he aimed to. Plzeň had an ultimate goal chance 1 minute before the end of the first half! After a fantastic action from the right wing side Radim Řezník fitted the ball to totally clear Patrik Hrošovský in the box, nevertheless, he missed an empty goal. The half-time score was 0-1 for Real.

As the first hald finished, the second one started – by an opportunity of Plzeň. Michael Krmenčík crossed the ball to Milan Havel who sliding shot the ball wide. But it was Real again that enjoyed the game later. A substitute Valverde found Marcel who increased the score 2-0 for the hosts. Their lead could be even higher when Luka Modrić shot by his left feet but Aleš Hruška was ready again.

Gareth Bale had an effort on goal later but both his chances missed the target – first a header after Kroose´s crossed ball and then his shot from the edge of the box. Lucas Vazquez jumped up for an accurate centre pass and had a great opportunity. This time Viktoria was lucky because they also netted a goal. Patrik Hrošovský fired a mid-distance shot that ended up behind Navas´s back. Viktoria deserved to score a goal at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and 11 minutes until the end they decrease the score to one goal.

Plzeň tried hard to equalize the score until the final whistle but the fans couldn´t see any goal in this match. Viktorians performed a nice game even though they lost to Real Madrid 1-2.

Patrik Hrošovský's Commentary

 “I could have scored one more goal but even this one is unforgettable experience. I think we played a good game unfortunately we didn´t score any other chances,“ he reminds of the end of the match. “To play at the stadium like this and against such an opponent was a perfect experience, I was thinking about is before I got to sleep yesterday how it would be. In the end it was amazing,“ he was pleased.