Live coverage begins this evening from Košice as FC Košice host FC Spartak Trnava in a Nike League matchup with contrasting fortunes. The home side, currently struggling near the bottom of the table after a turbulent start to the season, will look to turn things around under interim manager Peter Černák. Simultaneously occurring, Spartak Trnava, now under the leadership of Martin Škrtel, aim to build on their mid-table position as they travel for this 18:00 kickoff.
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Filip Twardzik turned the ball over, and substitute Jones immediately launched a counterattack. However, a defender recovered possession for the home side.
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Matej Madleňák is replaced by Daniel Magda,
Karlo Miljanić is replaced by Zyen Jones,
Dávid Gallovič is replaced by Vladimir Perišić.
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Miljanić is battling hard today, but committed a foul on Koštrna while challenging for the ball. Possession to the visitors.
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The visitors are trying to play actively, but their combination play is struggling on the difficult pitch.
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Mátyás Kovács is replaced by Osman Kakay.
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Štefan Škrbo played a ball to Timotej Kudlička, who immediately looked for Taiwo in the box. But home goalkeeper Kalanin reacted well to make the save.
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Substitute Škrbo drove into the box from the left side, laying the ball off for Libor Holík to shoot, but his attempt sailed over the bar.
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Philip Azango is replaced by Stefan Škrbo.
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Miljanić was making a run at Koštrna, who fouled him, but offside was called on the home attacker. A lucky escape for Trnava.
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Libor Holík crossed from the right wing, but one of the home defenders cleared the ball.
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The visitors started the second half poorly, with the home side looking lively.
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Košice almost added a second! Zsigmund’s shot from outside the box narrowly missed Frelih’s goal!
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That goal will stand! Home forward MÁTYÁS KOVÁCS fired a shot past Frelih from the edge of the box! Assisted by Karlo Miljanić.
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The second half has begun.
The first half ends scoreless, but it was far from uneventful. Košice had the better of the chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
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The first half is over.
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Miloš Kratochvíl collided heads with Ján Krivák. Both players received treatment and are okay to continue.
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The home side attacked with four players. Roman Čerepkai played a clever pass to Gallovič! His shot was blocked by a visiting player! Zsigmund followed up, but his attempt missed the target! Košice will have a corner kick!
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Kristián Koštrna fouled Miljanić. The home side will have a standard set-piece from the left side.
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Libor Holík sent a dangerous cross from the right wing into the penalty area, but Krivák managed to clear it.
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The visitors have possession and are building play in their own half. The home players are all back defending.
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The visitors took a free kick. Roman Procházka curled the ball into the box, but no one could get on the end of it. An outkick from the home goal.
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Current possession: 46% – 54%.
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Timotej Kudlička battled for the ball on the left side of the penalty area and won it. He played a pass to Taiwo, but Dominik Kružliak made a crucial intervention.
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Taiwo was offside as he made his run. The home side now have the ball.
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On the other end, Taiwo found space in the box. Kružliak dispossessed him. Holík then crossed from the right, but his attempt was deflected away for a corner.
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Zsigmund stepped up to take the free kick, clearing the wall, but Frelih made a good save!
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Martin Mikovič lost possession in the attacking half. Dávid Gallovič drove forward to the edge of the box, but his pass was slightly off, and he was then fouled by a visiting player. Košice will have a promising free kick.
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Milan Dimun fouled Taiwo on the left wing. Spartak will have a dangerous free kick.
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Roman Procházka took the free kick into the box, but Dimun headed it clear.
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It has started to snow heavily in Košice, making conditions difficult for both teams.
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The visitors are pressing forward. Taiwo made a run behind the defense, and a miscommunication between Krivák and Kalanin almost led to a goal. The home side managed to recover.
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Libor Holík crossed from the right wing into the box, where Miloš Kratochvíl met it with a header, but his effort went over Kalanin’s goal.
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Kristián Koštrna is down on the sideline and looks like he’ll try to continue.
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Kristián Koštrna, the Spartak Trnava defender, is receiving treatment on the pitch.
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Košice take the lead! Milan Dimun played a brilliant through ball to KARLO MILJANIĆ, who calmly finished past Frelih. Assisted by Milan Dimun.
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There’s a lot of intensity in this match. You can see both teams are playing for important points today.
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Miloš Kratochvíl tried a run down the left wing, but was closed down by the home defense.
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Roman Procházka took a corner from the left side, but Kalanin came out and punched it clear.
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Miloš Kratochvíl attempted a driving run down the left flank, but was unable to break through the home side’s defense.
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The visitors kick off to start the match.
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The match is underway!
FC KOŠICE: Kalanin – Kružliak, Krivák, Dimun – Madleňák, Jakúbek, Gallovič, Zsigmund, Mátyás Kovács – Miljanić, Čerepkai.
Substitutes: Kováčík – Jones, Ďurko, Kakay, Magda, Metu, Perišić, Sovič, Rehuš.
Manager: Peter Černák
FC Spartak Trnava: Frelih – Sabo, Koštrna, Twardzik – Holík, Procházka, Kratochvíl, Mikovič – Kudlička, Taiwo, Azango.
Substitutes: Vasiľ – M. Ďuriš, Gong, Jureškin, Karhan, Khorkheli, Paur, Škrbo, Stojsavljevič.
Manager: Martin Škrtel
Referee: Očenáš – Jekkel, Pacák.
FC Košice
Following a major upheaval at the club, former Žilina coach Peter Černák has taken charge on an interim basis. Košice have had a disastrous start to the season, with just 7 points from 14 games and a heavily negative goal difference of 18-34. The club has already sacked two managers, first Czech coach Roman Skuhravý and then František Straka. We’ll see if the home side can pick up points today.
FC Spartak Trnava
The visitors have also seen a change in management, with Michal Ščasný departing and Martin Škrtel taking over as head coach. Spartak Trnava currently have 23 points and a positive goal difference of 24-13, placing them 4th in the league. They lost narrowly 1-2 in their last league match away to Prešov, with Timotej Kudlička scoring their only goal.
Welcome to our live coverage. The match will begin at 18:00.
