Kojač Outraged by Colleague's Red Card in Match Against Slavia: "Nothing Offensive Was Said"

The Czech league match between Kojač's team and Prague's Slavia ended in a 1:2 defeat for the visitors after a dramatic finish: in the 98th minute, the referee awarded a retaken penalty, and the opposing goalkeeping coach Matúš Kozáčik was shown a red card. According to the match report, the referee stated that the coach had insulted the officiating team with an obscene word.

"I was standing nearby and didn't hear anything aggressive or rude. We felt it was unfair, and I was surprised myself. Let's see what else the head referee Stanislav Volek writes in the report, but nothing can be changed now," Kojač told reporters after the match. According to him, even if the phrase really was said, it's no reason for a red card: "Such emotions are part of football, and the referee should have shown more feel for the moment."

Controversial Penalty in the Final Minutes

The coach also commented on the key episode of the match — the penalty that was awarded, then retaken, in stoppage time. In his view, player Merhas Doski himself gave the referee reason for the decision by making unnecessary contact in the box. "He should have simply pulled out of the duel, there was no danger. He needs to learn from it," Kojač said. He also mentioned an incident involving Lukáš Červ, which he hadn't yet seen on replay, and the retaking of the penalty due to an early run into the box. "But when something like that happens in the 98th minute, it's a tough moment for us," the coach admitted.

Defensive Focus and Personnel Decisions

Asked about tactics, the coach confirmed that the team had deliberately focused on defense to reduce the number of goals conceded, while fielding quick players up front. The team led on the scoreboard but failed to hold on even for a draw. Kojač also singled out Filip Prebsl for praise, having played in the unfamiliar left-back position: according to the coach, he was chosen because the team had previously won with him in the lineup against the Belgrade club and in Brno, whereas Karel Spáčil, who played on Thursday, hadn't shown the required level.

Plans for the International Break

The team now faces a three-week break for international matches, which the coach intends to use to improve players' physical condition and the intensity of their play. Special attention, he said, will be paid to reworking the defensive scheme — the team still partly retains the habit of one-on-one man-marking instead of the new system. As for the return of injured players Jan Paluska and Václav Jemelka, the coach avoided making concrete promises: "I'd like to see progress every week and more players coming back, but I don't think either of them will be ready right after the break. I'd like that, but we'll see."

Read also: Brno: What to See and Where to Go

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz