Slavia Prague head coach Jindrich Trpisovsky and his players knelt before their supporters in Baku following a 2-0 defeat to Azerbaijan's Sabah in the second round of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
As reported by İdman.Biz, citing Czech outlet Seznam Zprávy, the unusual scene unfolded after the final whistle at Baku Olympic Stadium.
Trpisovsky joined his players in kneeling in front of the away section to thank the supporters who had traveled from the Czech Republic to back their team. It should be noted that this gesture is a long-standing Slavia tradition, symbolizing gratitude and respect for the club's fans.
However, the evening had already begun with difficulties for some visiting supporters.
According to Czech sports newspaper iSport, approximately 200 Slavia fans encountered problems while attempting to enter Baku Olympic Stadium. The security system reportedly identified their tickets as invalid, forcing the Prague club's fan liaison officer to intervene.
The difficulties may have been connected to changes in ticket sales arrangements. Slavia had previously secured a reduction in away ticket prices from €30 to €7.50. As a result, the club canceled previously purchased vouchers, announced refunds and organized a new ticket sale at the reduced price.
Czech Media React with Anger
The defeat in Baku sparked a fierce reaction across the Czech media, with several outlets questioning Slavia's ability to compete at the highest level of European football.
iSport described the result as a major failure, highlighting the contrast between Slavia's strong performances in the domestic league and their continued struggles on the European stage.
Ruik was even more critical, publishing an article under the headline: "Europe Is Laughing at Us! We Were Beaten by a Club That Is Only Nine Years Old."
The publication also quoted an emotional Slavia supporter who described the performance as one of the worst he could remember and an embarrassment for the club in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Seznam Zprávy questioned whether Slavia's current level of performance justified their place among Europe's football elite.
The outlet pointed out that the Prague club have not won a Champions League match since 2007, with their winless streak in the competition now extending to 20 matches.
Historic Night for Azerbaijani Football
While Slavia faced criticism at home, Sabah celebrated one of the most significant achievements in their history.
Goals from Kahim Parris and Joy-Lance Mickels secured a memorable 2-0 victory, giving the Azerbaijani club their first-ever win in the Champions League league phase.
The result earned Sabah their first three points of the campaign, while Slavia suffered their second consecutive defeat in the competition.
For the Baku-based side, the victory represented a historic breakthrough on Europe's biggest club stage. For Slavia, it raised fresh questions about their ability to translate domestic success into competitive performances against European opposition.
