Brunes scores four for Sparta Prague and ends long goal drought

Sparta's Norwegian forward Brunes scored four goals against Slovácko at Prague's Letná stadium, ending a long goalless spell. The club's most expensive signing ever admitted he badly needed it: he had never gone this long without scoring.

The drought is over

“I won't lie, I needed this. I've never had such a long period without a goal. I felt I just had to break the bad luck, and then everything came together,” Brunes smiled. In the style of the famous Norwegian “Ro!” chant from this year's World Cup, the man of the match “rowed” in front of the stands, but a different chant rang out from them: “Bru-nes!” followed by the two traditional drum beats. “I heard it. I get great support from both the fans and the team. I had goosebumps when the fan section started chanting,” he admitted.

Until now, Brunes had scored in an official match only in his first game in the red-and-burgundy shirt, against Zlín. He had waited in vain for the next one ever since. “I didn't do anything special. This period was hardest on my family, because I was already upset. But I kept doing the same thing and hoped it would turn around. I'm glad the slump is behind me,” he said with relief.

The Norwegian silenced critics who were already demanding he be benched. Voices saying Matěj Vojta should get more playing time had grown louder; now the Czech Under-21 international has an even harder path into the starting eleven.

Four goals in one night

Against Slovácko, Brunes showed why he was brought to Letná. Before the first goal, Patrik Vydra, the only Czech in Sparta's starting lineup, played the ball behind the defence. Before the second, Ki-Jana Hoever found the striker. In both moves Haaland's cousin showed a killer instinct: the first goal went through Milan Heča's legs, the second was struck under the crossbar.

Brunes saved the third for the 37th minute: he received the ball in the box, turned quickly and shot accurately into the far corner. The fourth, in the 71st minute, followed the same script: a quick first touch, an instant shot and once again a helpless look from the visitors' goalkeeper. He was substituted in the 80th minute to well-deserved applause: fans gave a standing ovation, and the fan section sang a special song as he left.

“Honestly, we thought that now the slump was over he could have waited. But he played with great quality. All of his first three shots were hard to save. A great performance,” said Slovácko coach Jan Jelínek, praising his opponent. Visiting goalkeeper Milan Heča added: “He showed quality. He kept it simple and shot as soon as he got the ball. That's how it usually goes: a slump breaks as soon as people start talking about it.”

Bournemouth next

With four goals, Brunes has also tuned up nicely for November's Europa League match against England's Bournemouth, which his more famous relative Haaland could watch from the stands. Haaland did not forget to react to Sparta's social media post, sending his cousin greetings with emojis.

“To be honest, we don't talk about football. We each have plenty to do when you play every three days. My slump wasn't a topic between us. Whether he'll come, you know better than I do. But if he wants to, he's welcome at Sparta,” Brunes laughed.

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz