There’s a crucial question in the air about the Czech Republic’s new top-flight season: after Sparta Prague ended their nine-year wait for the league title, is this the start of a new era for the country’s most successful club, or was it just a flash in the pan, with Slavia Prague and Viktoria Plzen set to reassert their authority as the teams to beat again?
In November, Sparta will celebrate their 130th birthday and would like nothing better than to mark their anniversary season by adding to their collection of trophies. Last season’s title was their 13th in the Czech First League, in addition to the 21 that they won before the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, making them the most decorated club in the country by far. Yet it took the arrival of Danish head coach Brian Priske, a title winner in his home country with Midtjylland back in 2019-20, to end the recent dominance of Slavia and Plzen, and the reality is that the 2023-24 season will probably be a three-way battle.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team