Youssoupha Mbodji, a 21-year-old Senegalese attacker, was a key figure in Slavia Prague’s performance when he returned to the Champions League. After the 2-2 draw against Bodรถ/Glimt, coach Henry Trpishovsky praised his impact, highlighting his ability to defend, score goals and his huge potential. Mbodji, who joined the club from Jihlava after a transfer of 30 million crowns, proved that he could effectively replace El Hadji Malick Diouf, an important player for the team. His talent, including his left foot game, allowed him to threaten the opposing defense and contribute to the attack. Coach Stanek also highlighted his experience and ability to manage penalty situations, demonstrating his maturity and confidence.
Bodรถ/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen was satisfied with the point he had made outside, considering this to be an important success for their team. He stressed the physical strength of Slavia Prague and their ability to advance in attack, while acknowledging the difficulties encountered on their own left side. Knutsen also commented on the controversy surrounding the penalty, expressing the hope that the VAR decision was fair, while recognizing the need to improve the speed of decisions. He expressed his pride in the reaction of his team, who managed to return to the game despite a disadvantage, and stressed the importance of this experience for their development.
Slavia Prague’s midfielder, Lukas Provod, expressed a bitterness against the draw, despite Mbodji’s two goals. He acknowledged that the team might have been too offensive and needed to focus more on managing the outcome. Provod stressed the importance of learning from this match for upcoming matches, especially against Inter Milan. He also praised Mbodji’s talent and determination, recognizing his crucial role in the team’s performance. UEFA has designated Mbodji as the player of the game, stressing its decisive impact on the match’s progress.