Chovanec: Away form must improve

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 by PA

Sparta Prague coach Jozef Chovanec has told his players they must learn to play as well on the road as they do at home.

Sparta travel to Cluj with four points from their three Europa League Group K games - including a 2-0 win over the Romanian side last time out.

But they have a history of struggling on their travels in Europe and they have lost two of their last three continental away games.

"Players must be able to do what we do at home with the support of fans and support that we have," said Chovanec.

"We must be able to produce optimum performances even at our opponents' grounds.

"This is the main cause of some not-so-good results away from home - we're a little unadventurous and not confident."

The other match in the group sees PSV Eindhoven, who lead the section, travel to FC Copenhagen.

The Dutch side are three points clear, but only a single point separates the other three sides as they seemingly scrap it out for second place.

With things so close, Chovanec will be looking for every advantage he can find.

He told www.sparta.cz: "There are three matches to go. The group is finely balanced and will be balanced, I think, right to the end.

"Of course, any points gained will increase our chances.

"It's the second game against Cluj so they know us, we know them and both teams will make use of that knowledge.

"It is difficult to say now (what will be different). Of course, their efforts will be more in front of their home fans.

"I do not expect to play differently. These differences in teams are not so great."

Cluj, who are second in a congested domestic league in which just one point separates the top seven sides, are without Burkina Faso striker Yssouf Kone, but Chovanec does not expect this to be a particular advantage for his side.

"Still there is (Lacina) Traore and Nei, both tall attackers who are difficult to defend against, so we're definitely not expecting it to be easy."

Chovanec expects to make changes from the side that drew with Banik Ostrava on Saturday, but would not go into detail, saying only: "There will be minor adjustments."