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Slavia Prague head coach Jindrich Trpisovsky said Fenerbahçe have strengthened considerably since the clubs last met and that the side they face tomorrow could be the strongest they have come up against. He spoke at Chobani Stadium ahead of the Champions League third-week away fixture.

Defender David Zima, who joined the coach at the press conference, said the team must stay calm after losing their opening two matches. Slavia Prague finished their preparations with a training session at Chobani Stadium.

Budgets do not decide matches

Trpisovsky said European fixtures are difficult and that collecting points in the Champions League is hard, describing Fenerbahçe as a big club. The Turkish side operates on a budget far above Slavia's, the coach said, but added that what counts on the pitch is performance rather than spending.

"Whoever is better prepared, whoever is luckier, has the advantage. The team's work and the players' performances are decisive," Trpisovsky said. "We are playing against big teams and we need to focus on everything. We have to seize this chance and we must not make mistakes tomorrow."

Looking forward to the atmosphere

Trpisovsky will be taking charge of his fourth match against Fenerbahçe and said he is curious about the atmosphere in Kadıköy. "My only wish is for a good match. All three of our matches were like that," he said. "But this is my first time in Istanbul. We played twice in Czechia before. Four years ago I did not travel for the match here because I was ill. I watched that match on TV from Czechia."

"I am excited. I have heard a lot about the atmosphere, I have watched it on television and I know the situation. I am looking forward to experiencing this atmosphere," the coach said. "Fenerbahçe is a team that has been through a period of change, like us. I think Fenerbahçe's team tomorrow could be the strongest team in the matches we have played against them."

Lukaku cannot be given space

Trpisovsky described Lukaku as an outstandingly strong player with extra qualities. "Playing against Lukaku is exciting for me. I know this player well and you cannot give him even a centimetre of space," he said.

Zima echoed that view. "Lukaku is a very good name, an aggressive player. We must not allow him. If he finds space, it will be difficult for us," the defender said.

Zima: Stay calm after two defeats

Zima said the Champions League is the highest level of competition and that the team should not let pressure affect them after losing their first two matches. "Football is football, we cannot always win, sometimes you need luck. We are playing big teams. In every match we try to stay calm and give everything we can," he said.

Preparations completed at Chobani Stadium

Slavia Prague wrapped up their preparations for tomorrow's third-week fixture with a session at Chobani Stadium under Trpisovsky. The first 15 minutes were open to the press, with the squad split into two groups for warm-up, ball-winning and passing drills after the physical warm-up.

Tactical work dominated the closed part of the training. Fenerbahçe and Slavia Prague meet tomorrow at 19:45 at Chobani Stadium.

Key takeaways

• Slavia Prague coach Trpisovsky said Fenerbahçe's squad has grown much stronger than when the sides met in 2022.
• He said budgets do not decide matches and that his team must avoid mistakes tomorrow.
• Trpisovsky said he is visiting Istanbul for the first time and is looking forward to the Kadıköy atmosphere.
• Defender David Zima said Slavia must stay calm after losing their first two Champions League matches.