Vyacheslav Levchuk faces a critical challenge as his Aktobe side defends a slim 2-1 advantage in the Conference League qualification quarterfinal against "Sparta Prague" on July 31. The Kazakhstan club stunned the Czech favorites in the first leg but must now survive in Prague where bookmakers give them just a 7% chance of winning.
"We performed excellently at home, but we know the job is only half done," Levchuk might tell his squad ahead of this crucial return fixture.
Despite being overwhelming favorites, Sparta Prague has shown vulnerability at the season's start. The "red" team opened their domestic campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Jablonec before their surprising defeat in Kazakhstan. Their recent match against Mlada Boleslav followed a similar pattern - they had to mount a comeback and only secured a 2-1 victory with a 93rd-minute penalty.
Aktobe, currently sitting fourth in the Kazakhstan championship, has been inconsistent themselves with only two victories in their last five domestic matches. Interestingly, their European journey began in the Europa League qualification, where they were eliminated by Polish side Legia Warsaw.
The Kazakh underdogs impressed in the first meeting between these clubs, taking a commanding 2-0 lead before Sparta pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. That late goal could prove crucial in the tie's outcome.
Can Levchuk's men protect their advantage against a Sparta side that's struggled to find form but will have passionate home support? With a +2 handicap favored by bookmakers at 1.78 odds, this quarterfinal remains far from decided.
The winner advances to the next round of Conference League qualification - a competition offering valuable European experience and financial rewards for clubs from smaller leagues. Will we see an upset in Prague, or will the Czech favorites overcome their early-season struggles when it matters most?
