Czech Football League Kicks Off With a Shock: Plzeň Stunned by Liberec

The opening round of the Czech Chance Liga delivered a genuine surprise, as defending champions Viktoria Plzeň fell 1:3 at home to Liberec, snapping a five-match winning streak against the team in the league. The match was played in front of 10,068 spectators at the stadium in Plzeň.

Slovan Liberec took the lead as early as the 27th minute thanks to an own goal from Plzeň defender Tomáš Ladra. Shortly after the break, David Krčík levelled the score from the penalty spot, but substitute Afolabi Soliu restored Liberec's advantage in the 76th minute, and Patrik Dulai sealed a resounding win with a goal in stoppage time. The result marked a successful debut for Liberec's new Slovak coach, Branislav Fodrek — the club ended a run of five straight defeats that had closed out last season in the top flight.

In another opening-round fixture, Teplice beat Bohemians 3:1. Matěj Pulkrab scored twice, once in each half, while Ladislav Almási pulled one back for the visitors, before substitute John Auta put the result beyond doubt. Counting results from the end of last season, Teplice have now won five league matches in a row, while Bohemians have lost to this opponent for the third straight time.

Zlín lost 0:1 on home turf to Ostrava. The only goal of the match came just before the hour mark, scored by veteran striker Václav Jurečka after the ball took an unfortunate deflection off Marian Pisoi. Baník, who narrowly avoided direct relegation last season, only surviving through the play-offs, began the new campaign with a win.

After the first round, Liberec, Teplice and Ostrava share the top of the table, each with three points. Round two promises at least one standout fixture, with Zbrojovka Brno set to host Sparta Prague.

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Source: denik.cz